That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Every intoxicant is unlawful. Whatever a Faraq of it intoxicates, then a handful of it is unlawful."
[Abu 'Eisa said:] One of them said in his Hadith: "A sip of it is unlawful."
He said: This Hadith is Hasan. Al-Laith bin Abi Sulaim and Ar-Rabi' bin Sabih reported similar to the narration of Mahdi bin Maimun from Abu 'Uthman Al-Ansari. Abu 'Uthman Al-Ansari's (a narrator in this chain) name is 'Amr bin Salim, and they say: "Umar bin Salim" (as well).
The Book on Drinks - Jami' at-Tirmidhi
Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1866
Hadith Text
That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Every intoxicant is unlawful. Whatever a Faraq of it intoxicates, then a handful of it is unlawful."
[Abu 'Eisa said:] One of them said in his Hadith: "A sip of it is unlawful."
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the fundamental Islamic prohibition against all intoxicants. The Prophet (ﷺ) declares every substance that causes intoxication to be haram (unlawful), regardless of its form or source.
The second part provides a crucial legal principle: if a large quantity (faraq, approximately 16 ratls or 60-70 liters) of a substance causes intoxication, then even a small amount (handful or sip) is prohibited. This prevents legal loopholes and establishes that the intoxicating nature, not the quantity consumed, determines prohibition.
Abu 'Eisa's note about the variant wording "a sip" emphasizes the strictness of this prohibition - even the smallest amount of an intoxicating substance is forbidden when the substance itself has intoxicating properties.
Legal Implications
This hadith forms the basis for the complete prohibition of alcohol and all intoxicants in Islamic law. The ruling applies equally to wine, beer, spirits, and any substance that alters the mind.
The principle extends beyond beverages to include drugs and other intoxicating substances. The prohibition covers production, consumption, sale, and transportation of intoxicants.
Imam al-Tirmidhi's grading of this hadith as "Hasan" (good) indicates its reliable chain of transmission and acceptance among scholars as a valid legal proof.