Who Is To Blame

Rasul Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah has cursed wine, and whoever drinks it, whoever pours it, whoever sells it, whoever buys it, whoever presses (distils) it for another, whoever presses it for himself, whoever carries (transports) it, whoever accepts its delivery, or whoever eats (benefits from) its price (sale).”

[Abu Dawud, Al-Hakim]

It is important to note that it isn’t just the drinking of alcohol that is haram. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala), in His Infinite Wisdom, cuts off evil at its roots. Hence all those have been warned of destruction who play any role in the spread of this social evil:

1. The drinker of alcohol.

2. The one who pours it out for another to drink.

3. The one who sells it.

4. The one who purchases it, regardless of who it is for.

5. The one who is involved in its production.

6. The one who is involved in the transportation of alcoholic beverages.

7. The one who receives the delivery of it.

8. The one who benefits financially from the sale of alcohol.

The punishment for drinking alcohol in the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was 40 lashes. Other ahadith make it clear that all intoxicants are forbidden, it is not only alcohol that is haraam. Furthermore, whatever intoxicates in a large amount, is forbidden to be consumed in the smallest amount as well.