This article reflects on the prohibition of alcohol, intoxicants, and gambling for the people as established by the directives of Allah (swt) in Al-Quran. If we study the explanations of all four verses related to alcohol, intoxicants, and games of chance then it will be clear that alcohol, intoxicants, and gambling are great sins that are prohibited (Haraam) in Islam:

Explanation

There are four places in the “Quran” where this prohibition of alcohol, intoxicants, and gambling are mentioned in different contexts and different ways.

“They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling Say; “In them is a great sin and (some) benefits for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefits.”

” Thus Allah makes clear to you His laws in order that you may give thought.”

Surah Al Baqarah 2:219

In the above Ayah, Allah (swt) says that Khamr (wine/alcohol/intoxicants) Maisir (games of chance) are great (Kabira) sins (Ismum). Then Allah (swt) declares that this is His law to be obeyed. Those who surrender to Allah (swt) are believers and they have to obey the commands of Allah (swt). The point is that Muslims can not disobey and disregard His orders. Committing a great sin is an offense against God or moral law. In this verse, “U Bayanu Allah” means this is the speech of Allah, clear unto His messages to the people.

It needs to be understood wine and any other intoxicants that produce similar conditions are considered prohibited.

Wine: Khamr is literally understood to mean the fermented juice of the grape: applied by analogy to all fermented liquor, and by further analogy to any intoxicating liquor or drug. There may possibly be some benefit in it, but the “evil” (bad things) are far greater than the benefit, especially if we look at it from a social as well as an individual point of view.

Intoxicant: a substance such as drinking alcohol that produces a false feeling of pleasure and a lack of control. Under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a person may become unnaturally excited or subdued, and think and act in a way that does not align with their nature and moral values for some time. It is, therefore, considered to be a type of perversion.

Gambling: Maisir literally, a means of getting something too easily, getting a profit without working for it; hence gambling or games of chance is a kind of intoxication and is prohibited.

The provisions of the verse (Surah Baqarah 2.219) concerning alcohol, wine, and gambling have been abrogated by the verse Surah Maidah 5:90 & 91 as explained below.

In the following verse, Allah (swt) imposed injunctions for the second time concerning intoxicants making them forbidden :

“O you who believe! Approach not As-Salat (the prayer) while you are in a drunkenness state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter”.                                                                    Surah Nisa 4:43

In the above verse, believers are asked to be away from the wine which is completely prohibited later on by the following verses.

“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks) and gambling and “Al-Ansab” and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitans (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful”

Surah Maidah 5:90

In the above verse, Allah (swt) categorically prohibited four things and mentioned that these abominations are the acts of Shaitan (cursed by Allah (swt)).

“Shaitan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As-Salat (submission to Allah). So, will you not then abstain?”                                                                                           Surah Maidah 5:91

In the above verse, Allah (swt) adds why Believers should refrain from intoxicants and gambling as these are the weapons of Satan for creating mischiefs in the community and keep away Muslims from remembering Allah (swt) and therefore, people must abstain from them as these are Haraam.

Allah (swt) is the creator and sustainer of the universe, galaxies, dark matters, interstellar matter, the solar system, and the earth and heavens. Allah (swt) created mankind and He knows what is good or evil for them. He sent the last messenger Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) with the scripture Al- Quran to guide mankind to the correct path. He knows human psychology as He is the creator of Insan (the people). Allah (swt) has revealed scriptures to previous Messengers and the final Scripture, sent to Prophet Mohammad, (pbuh) is the “Quran”. The verses of  Surah Maidah (5:90- 91) are the promulgation of the law of total abstinence from all intoxicants and all forms of gambling. Hence, the prohibition of “Khamar” laid down in these verses comprises not merely alcoholic drinks, but drugs that have a similar effect.

Therefore it is clear that the four verses are the promulgation of the law for complete abstinence from wine, all intoxicants, and any form of gambling for Believers (Muslims).

Further, Haraam and Halal are not the only Quranic words to understand Allah’s laws. There are a lot of words or “Bayan” in Al-Quran which are treated as Allah’s order, command, approach, do’s and don’ts, and prohibitions.

For example, the following two verses are mentioned. After the creation of mankind Allah (swt) said to Adam:

“O Adam! dwell you and your wife in paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight, of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zulman (wrong-doers)                                                                                                                        Surah Al Baqarah 2:35

That the word used in the above verse is “Zulman” which implies haraam, wrong-doing, injustice, or transgression. In the above Ayah Allah (swt) prohibited (made it haraam for) Adam and his wife by advising them not to go to one identified tree in the Jannah (paradise).

In another verse, Allah says in the Quran:

“If anyone killed a person, not in retaliation of murder, or to spread mischief in the land it would be as if he has killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he has saved the life of all mankind.”                                                                                                                          Surah Al Maidah 5:32

The above verse means Allah (swt) prohibited mankind from murdering or spreading mischief.

In the above two verses, Allah (swt) has not used the word Haraam but still, the actions are kind of total prohibitions (Haraam).

Conclusion

From the above discussions, it is evident that according to the four verses of Al-Quran, alcohol, intoxicants, wine, and games of chance are great sins and are prohibited and forbidden. These are the abominations liked by Satan so that believers turn away from remembering Allah (swt). Therefore, these are Haraam.