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Prohibition Of Alcohol

Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute testimony to the destructive power of alcohol.


Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur’an
The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse:
“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an Abomination – of Satan’s handiwork; eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.” [Al-Qur’an 5:90]

Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible
The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses:
a. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” [Proverbs 20:1]
b. “And be not drunk with wine.” [Ephesians 5:18]


Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory centre
The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory centre prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For instance a person does not normally use abusive language while addressing his parents or elders. If he has to answer the call of nature, his inhibitory centre will prevent him from doing so in public. Therefore he uses the toilet. When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited. That is precisely the reason that an inebriated person is often found to be indulging in behavior that is completely uncharacteristic of him. For instance the intoxicated person is found to use abusive and foul language and does not realize his mistake even if he is addressing his parents. Many even urinate in their clothes. Neither do they talk nor walk properly. They even misbehave.

Cases of adultery, rape, incest and AIDS are found more among alcoholics
According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) in the year 1996 alone everyday on an average 2,713 rapes took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists, were intoxicated while committing the crime. The same is true in cases of molestation.
According to statistics, 8% of Americans commit incest i.e. one in every twelve to thirteen persons in America is involved in incest. Almost all the cases of incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved. One of the major factors associated with the spread of AIDS, the most dreaded disease, is alcoholism.

Every alcoholic was initially a social drinker
Many may argue in favor of liquor by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’. They claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control and so never get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic started as a social drinker. Not a single alcoholic or drunkard initially starts drinking with the intention of becoming an alcoholic or a drunkard. No social drinker can say that I have been having alcohol for several years and that I have so much self-control
that I have never been intoxicated even a single time.

If a person is intoxicated just once and commits something shameful, it will remain with him for a lifetime.
Suppose a ‘social drinker’ loses his self-control just once. In a state of intoxication he commits rape or incest. Even if the act is later regretted, a normal human being is likely to carry the guilt throughout his life. Both the perpetrator and the victim are irreparably and irreversibly damaged.

Alcohol is prohibited in the Hadith
The Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
a. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3371.
“Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the most shameful of evils.”
b. In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3392
“Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity, is prohibited even in a small quantity.”
Thus there is no excuse for a nip or a tot.
c. Not only those who drink alcohol are cursed but also those who deal with them directly or indirectly are cursed by Allah.
According to Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3380.
It was reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“God’s curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol. The one who distills it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one whom serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it, the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else.”

Diseases associated with alcoholism
There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go into the details of all the ill-effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known. Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses:

1. Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.

2. Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.

3. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol consumption.

4. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.

5. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol intake.

6. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes caused by alcohol consumption.

7. Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events, confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol intake.

8. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.

9. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if treated in well equipped centres.

10. Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.

11. Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency, however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia, Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges.

12. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in alcoholics.

13. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol.

14. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake.

15. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.

16. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death.

17. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention. Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the medical profession.

18. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.

19. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics.


Alcoholism is a ‘disease’
Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcoholics and call alcoholism a disease rather than an addiction.
If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease that:
- Is sold in bottles
- Is advertised in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television
- Has licensed outlets to spread it
- Produces revenue for the government
- Brings violent deaths on the highways
- Destroys family life and increases crime
- Has no germs or viral cause


ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDIWORK

Allah (swt) in His Infinite Wisdom has warned us against this snare of Satan. Islam is called the “Deen-ul-Fitrah” or the natural religion of Man. All its injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a deviation from this natural state, for the individual as well as for society. It degrades man to a level below that of the beasts he claims to be superior to. Hence the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Major World Religions.

If you have any questions, please drop a comment below.

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Sharia: A Blessing OR A Curse?

This is only a small analysis of the Islamic Sharia Law and we have published another more detailed analysis Sharia: Barbaric or Perfect?
Islamic Sharia Law


Misconceptions About Sharia
People misconcieve Sharia to a sort of mob-justice, which anyone can carry out, which is a myth. Sharia is a complete system of Law and can only be carried out by a court of Law.
Often laws are attributed to Sharia, which really are NOT a part of it. For example, a widespread misconception about Sharia Law is that it punishes the rape Victum and encourages Honor killing. But in fact Sharia does NOT punish the rape victum; it only punishes the rapist. 
At times a positive aspect of Sharia is twisted to give a wrong impression. For instance, Qur'an says in Chapter 24 Verse 4 that if anybody accuses a chaste woman of adultery, then the accuser should bring four witnesses to prove his charge otherwise the accuser would recieve 80 lashes. So in short, it protects chaste women against false charges. But sceptics have twisted to say that a rape victum has to bring 4 witnesses to prove rape, which is non-sense because only the victum's testimony and a medical report proving rape are enough to prove rape in Sharia Law.


If difference of opinion occurs about a certain Islamic law, who decides about its authenticity and application?
A legislative committee of Islamic law experts sits down and decides about the authenticity and application of that law in the guidance of Qur'an and the authentic sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet. If these two sources lack any instructions regarding that law, the committee looks at the lives of the first three Muslim generations for reference and guidance.


The Islamic Sharia punishments are Severe
I agree, the punishments in Islamic Sharia are in fact severe. But that is the point. The moment you say Sharia is imposed majority of the criminals would stop committing crimes fearing the severity of the punishments. The mere thought of recieving such punishments would discourage any potential future criminal. Only a few criminals would still commit crimes and punishing these few criminals would let millions live in peace.


All religions basically exhort mankind to be righteous and eschew evil. But Islam goes beyond that. It guides us towards practical ways of achieving righteousness and eliminating evil from our individual and collective lives. Islam takes into account human nature and the complexities of human society. Islam is guidance from the Creator Himself. Therefore, Islam is also called the Deenul-Fitrah (the natural religion of Man).


U.S.A has one of the highest rate of Rape
According to a F.B.I report, an average of 1756 cases rapes were committed in USA everyday. This number soon increased to 1900. According to the US Department of Justice in the year 1996 an average of 2713 rape cases were committed Every Single Day. In short, in the year 1996 Every 32 seconds one rape was taking place in America. The F.B.I report of 1990 also said that only 1.6% were ever arrested and only half of them 0.8 ever faced a trial. Many would consider this a good gamble. And the report says that of those people who faced trial 50% received sentences of less than a year’s imprisonment though the American law says rape carries a seven year sentence of imprisonment. For a rapist, the judge is lenient to first time offenders. Imagine a person commits 125 rapes and the chances of being convicted is only once, and 50% of the time the judge will grant leniency and give a sentence of less than a year!


The Islamic Solution
Suppose the Islamic shariah is implemented in America. Whenever a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic Hijab, that is the complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrists. After this if any man commits rape, he gets capital punishment. The question is, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same or will it decrease? Naturally it will decrease. Islamic Shariah gets results.


Despite its advancements America also has one of the highest rate of crime, theft, and robbery. Suppose the Islamic shariah is implemented in America i.e. every rich person gives Zakat ( 2.5% of his savings in charity above 85 grams of gold every lunar year), which would be spent on the poor (if every rich person in the world starts paying this, poverty will be eradicated and NOT a single person would die of hunger) and every convicted robber has his or her hands chopped off as a punishment. Will the rate of theft and robbery in America increase, remain same or decrease? Naturally it will decrease. Moreover the existence of such a stringent law would discourage many a potential robber.
I agree that the amount of theft that takes place in the world today is so tremendous that if you chop off the hands of all the thieves, there will be tens of thousands of people whose hands will be chopped off. The point here is that the moment you implement this law the rate of theft will decline immediately. The potential robber would give it a serious thought before
jeopardizing his limbs. The mere thought of the punishment itself will discourage majority of the robbers. There will barely be a few who would rob. Hence only a few person’s hands would be chopped off but millions would live peacefully without fear of being robbed. 
Islamic Shariah is therefore practical, and achieves results.


Witnesses in Sharia Law
In modern law people may give false witness and get a light punishment or even escape without any punishment. This encourages bearers of witness. In Sharia if anyone bears false witness and falters in cross examination, he would recieve 80 lashes. The mere thought of 80 lashes would discourage anyone from bearing false witness.


Non-Muslims Under Sharia Law
Islamic Sharia grants Non-Muslims the freedom to freely practice their religion and makes it obligatory on the Islamic Gov't to protect their places of worship. Islamic Sharia even prohibits using bad language about their gods. As Qur'an says in Sura al Anaam Chapter 6 Verse 108 "Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance." Sceptics may ask that why Non-Muslims have to pay poll tax (Jizya)? In every country the citizens pay tax. Likewise in an Islamic country all citizens pay tax. The tax paid by Muslims is called Zakat, while the tax paid by Non-Muslims is called Jizya (poll tax). The Muslims have to pay tax and also do compulsory military service, while the Non-Muslims only have to pay tax and do NOT have to do any compulsory military service. So the Muslims should complain NOT the Non-Muslims.


Women under Sharia Law
To know about women in Sharia, read the posts
Women's Rights in Islam
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Women in Islam


You may ask, if Sharia is so effective and full proof then why crimes are committed in the Muslim countries? The answer is that there is NOT a single 100% Islamic country. Muslim countries follow some Islamic principals and do NOT follow the others. Like Malaysia only follows the Islamic Economic System and Saudi Arabia only follows the Islamic Criminal law. (Please note that punishing female drivers is not an Islamic Law.)


The most misunderstood fundamental of Islam is Jihad, which I have already discussed.

Natural Calamities, Poverty and Physical and Mental Disabilities


People often ask that if God is Just, then why people suffer from poverty, natural calamities and physical disabilities. Lets analyze what is the answer to this question.


This life is a test for the Hereafter. Not only poverty and physical disablities are a test, but even wealth, health, family and comforts are also a test.
As Qur'an states in Sura Mulk Chapter 67 Verse 2
“He Who created Death and Life, that He may try (test) which of you is best in deed; And He is the Exalted in Might, oft-Forgiving.”
Life is a test from God and we all will be rewarded for our good deeds and likewise be punished for our evil doings.

Mental Disabilities
A child with mental disabilities is a test for his parents to see if they remain faithful to God and see how well they look after and bring up their child. He gets concessions as he has mental disabilities, he does NOT have to do certain religious duties, which normal people have to fulfill. Above all, he will NOT be held accountable for any actions he might have done during his abnormality.
As Qur'an states in Sura Tagabun Chapter 64 Verse 15
“Your wealth and your children are only a trial, and Allah — with Him is a great reward. And whoever is saved from the greediness of his soul, these it is that are the successful.”
In Sura Munafiqun Chapter 63 Verse 9-10
“O you who believe, let not your wealth nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that, these are the losers.”

Physical Disabilities
Physical disability is a test for a person to see if he shows patience and remains faithful and strives to do good deeds or does he turn unfaithful and resorts to evil. It is also a test for their family to see how well they look after him and if they remain fatihful to God.
As Qur'an states in Sura Anfal Chapter 8 Verse 28
“And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial and that it is Allah with Whom lies your highest reward.”

Good Health
Even good health is a test to see if the health person uses his good health for the good fellow human beings and benefits them and his soul or uses his good health only to serve his evil instincts to fulfill his personel evil means. On the day of judgement he would be held accountable as to how he used his good health.


Poverty and Wealth
Poverty is a test for the poor and wealth is a test for the rich. To see if the poor remain patient and faithful to God despite poverty and to see if the rich remain thankful to God and spend on the poor out of the wealth that God has bestowed upon them and seek God's pleasure or they use their wealth to serve their evil means and oppress the poor. Poor are always pass in the test of due charity because they lack the wealth to pay the due charity, while the rich can only pass this test by paying the due charity or otherwise they would fail and would be punished for it on the day of Judgement. So we can see that God gifted wealth if mishandled can be serious disadvantage.

Natural Calamities
Since both evil doers and righteous suffer from natural calamities, for the evil doers it is a punishment, whereas for the righteous it is a test of their faith.
As Qur'an states in Sura Baqara Chapter 2 Verse 155
“Be sure We (Allah) shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss of goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil-labor, work) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere”.

In all tests if people remain patient and faithful to God, they are rewarded for it and their reward is doubled nad multiplied. Whereas if any human being oppresses any other human being, God has commanded all human beings to strive against all sorts of oppression.

Does testing people increase God's knowledge about who is faithful and who is not? NO, of course NOT. God has eternal knowledge. But if God judges between the faithful and unfaithful without testing them, the faithful would pass and be pleased, but the unfaithful, who fail, would argue that at least they should have been given a chance to prove themselves. So this life is a test for the hereafter. Judgement will be based upon the difficulty of the test.
As Qur'an says in Sura Ale Imran Chapter 3 Verse 185-186
“Every soul will taste death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whosoever is removed from the hellfire and is made to enter Paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion. Assuredly ye will be tried in your property and in your persons, and you will hear much wrong from those who were given the Scripture before you, and from the idolaters. But if you persevere and ward off evil then that is of the steadfast heart of things”.


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