As-Salaam-O-Alaikum! (Peace be upon you)
Ramadan Mubarak, everyone!
Ramadan is a holy month observed by billions of Muslims around the world. During these 30 days, Muslims fast each day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is observed by Muslim adults, with exceptions for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating and for people who are sick or traveling.
In this month, Muslims will devote our days to prayer, regular recitation of the Holy Quran, and fill our fasts with the constant remembrance of Allah. Muslims also try to refrain from vulgarity, anger, and other negative behaviors and thoughts.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"He who does not shun telling a lie by word and deed, should know that God needs not his abstention from food and drink." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
During this month we learn what it is to go without food and water while doing our daily tasks, and gain empathy for those who do it without choice throughout the year. Muslims are also strongly encouraged to give charity during the month of Ramadan.
This month provides Muslims with the opportunity to better oneself by developing good habits and breaking bad ones. We devote ourselves to spiritual and moral progress during these 30 days, with the intention of continuing all of our progress into the next month and making it a part of our daily lives.
May this Ramadan bring you many blessings, InshAllah! (if Allah so wills)
Sources:
https://www.alislam.org/articles/significance-of-ramadan/
https://www.alislam.org/articles/muslim-fasting/
As part of the teachings of the Holy Quran- the holy book of Muslims- and Hadith- the sayings of the Holy Prophet Mohammad [peace and blessings upon him]- Muslims do not drink alcohol. In fact, we are instructed not to partake in anything that intoxicates an individual and leaves them without full possession of their senses. This includes recreational drugs.
In the Holy Quran it is stated:
“They ask thee concerning wine and the game of hazard. Say: ‘In both there is great sin and also some advantages for men; but their sin is greater than their advantage.’ And they ask thee what they should spend. Say: ‘What you can spare.’ Thus does Allah make His commandments clear to you that you may reflect.” (chapter 2: verse 220)
It is also noted by the Fourth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad [may Allah’s blessing be on him], that alcohol can cause many a person to commit violent acts, such as domestic violence and child abuse, and that intoxicated driving has led to many injuries and deaths.
This relates to the above verse from the Quran as to the disadvantages of alcohol and the various issues and ill effects that stem from the usage of alcohol, outweighing the positive aspects of alcohol. For instance, some alcohol is said to provide certain helpful health benefits, such as red wine, but then alcohol also leads to fatal vehicle crashes, contributes to domestic violence and child abuse, and can lead to liver and heart disease.
It is best then to look at the hadith of the Holy Prophet [pbuh] on this subject:
“Whatever causes intoxication in large amounts, a small amount of it is (also) unlawful”.
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Hopefully, this answered some of your questions on why Muslims do not drink alcohol. But if you do have any further questions or need elaboration on a certain point, please comment below and we will try and answer to the best of our ability. We have also listed a few sources below that we used as references. Feel free to check them out as they go into further detail on a lot of interesting related topics.
Sources:
Audio excerpt of 4th Khalifa explaining why Muslims cannot drink alcohol- https://askislam.org/1003
Chapter 6 of Pathway to Paradise, section on topic of substance and alcohol abuse- https://alisl.am/e8134
Article on why Muslims cannot use marijuana- https://alisl.am/e26231
Article on the effect of an alcohol ban in hospital visits: https://www.npr.org/2021/04/09/985660277/covid-19-alcohol-bans-in-south-africa-reveal-painful-history
Assalamo Alaikum! Peace be upon you!
This week marks the beginning of the month of Ramadan. The purpose of this month is to abstain from everything for the sake of Allah. Muslims all around the world use this 30-day period to focus on their spiritual progress. Many do this by fasting from sunrise to sunset. This wonderful month provides the opportunity for bettering oneself- for developing good habits and breaking bad ones.
There is a Hadith, a saying of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessing upon him) that states:
“When the month of Ramadan enters, the gates of Heaven are flung open and the gates of Hell are shut, and Satans are chained.”
A small reminder that:
Fasting is not recommended for children as they are young and growing and it would not be wise for their health. Fasting is exempt for the sick, the traveling, the menstruating women, the pregnant women, and the breast-feeding women.
Ramadan is not just about fasting. One should also spend time in prayer, recitation of the Holy Quran, and introspection and study of one's faith. One should also consciously avoid things such as fighting, arguing, cursing, and more.
For more information, here are a few sources:
An in-depth explanation of fasting- https://www.alislam.org/articles/muslim-fasting/
A multitude of articles and sources related to Ramadan- https://www.alislam.org/ramadhan/
An explanation on Ramadan- https://www.alislam.org/articles/significance-of-ramadan/
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If you have more questions, please feel free to comment below.
Ramadan Mubarak, everyone! Happy Ramadan!