The Book of Drinks - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5606

"I heard Ibn 'Abbas when he was asked: 'Advise us about Badhiq (a drink made from the juice of grapes slightly boiled).' He said: 'Muhammad came before Badhiq (i.e., it was not known during his time), but everything that intoxicates is unlawful.'"

Commentary on the Hadith

This narration from the esteemed Companion Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) demonstrates a fundamental principle in Islamic jurisprudence regarding intoxicants. When questioned about Badhiq - a specific type of fermented grape drink that emerged after the Prophet's time - Ibn Abbas did not need to investigate its particular manufacturing process.

He applied the universal legal maxim established by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "Every intoxicant is khamr (unlawful) and every khamr is unlawful." This shows that the prohibition in Islam is based on the effect (intoxication) rather than the specific substance or name.

The wisdom behind this comprehensive prohibition is the preservation of human intellect ('aql), which Allah has honored. Any substance that clouds the mind, regardless of its form or name, falls under this divine prohibition. This principle protects the Muslim community from the spiritual, social, and physical harms of intoxication.

Legal Ruling (Hukm)

The ruling derived from this hadith is that Badhiq - and any similar substance - is absolutely unlawful (haram) if it causes intoxication, even in small quantities. Scholars have unanimously agreed that whatever intoxicates in large amounts is prohibited in small amounts as well.

This includes all contemporary alcoholic beverages, drugs, and substances that alter the mind, regardless of their names or cultural origins. The prohibition stands as one of the clear, definitive rulings in Islamic law with no legitimate difference of opinion among the orthodox schools.