The Prophet [SAW] said: "The adulterer is not a believer at the moment when he is committing adultery, and the thief is not a believer at the moment when he is stealing, and the wine drinker is not a believer at the moment when he is drinking wine, and the robber is not a believer at the moment when he is robbing and taking something valuable by force while the Muslims are looking at it.'"
Hadith Text & Context
The Prophet [SAW] said: "The adulterer is not a believer at the moment when he is committing adultery, and the thief is not a believer at the moment when he is stealing, and the wine drinker is not a believer at the moment when he is drinking wine, and the robber is not a believer at the moment when he is robbing and taking something valuable by force while the Muslims are looking at it."
This profound hadith is recorded in Sunan an-Nasa'i 5660 and other authentic collections, serving as a stern warning about major sins that temporarily strip a Muslim of the complete reality of faith during their commission.
Scholarly Commentary on Faith's Nature
The classical scholars explain that this narration does not mean the sinner becomes a complete disbeliever, but rather that the perfection of faith (kamal al-iman) leaves them during the act. Imam an-Nawawi states: "What is meant is that the completeness of faith leaves him, not that he exits the religion entirely."
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani elaborates that faith consists of declaration, belief, and action - and when major sins are committed, the aspect of action-based faith is suspended during the sinful act.
Specific Analysis of Wine Drinking
Regarding the wine drinker specifically, scholars emphasize that intoxicants represent a gateway to other sins and cause the drinker to lose consciousness of Allah's remembrance. Al-Qurtubi notes: "Wine drinking extinguests the light of faith in the heart and clouds the intellect from recognizing the majesty of Allah."
This temporary suspension of complete faith occurs because the drinker willfully disobeys clear prohibitions while being fully aware of their sinful nature.
Legal & Spiritual Implications
The Hanafi and Shafi'i schools clarify that the sinner remains subject to Islamic law - their prayers are still valid, their testimony acceptable, and they receive Islamic burial. However, their spiritual state is severely compromised.
This hadith serves as both a warning and encouragement: a warning about the grave consequences of major sins, and encouragement to immediately repent since faith returns upon cessation of the sin and sincere repentance.