Why is Alcohol Forbidden in Islam? 

 
In Islam, the code of conduct is divided into two parts: personal ethics (akhlāq) and legal rulings through which the government will make its decisions, called Sharī’ah. In Shariah, every rule must have some sort of reason for existing. One aspect of these reasons is Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah, which is a set of values/targets that clarify these reasons for us. They are five in total and as follows: protection of religion, protection of life, protection of progeny/lineage, protection of intellect, and protection of property and wealth.
 
1. The prohibition of alcohol lies in the protection of all five of these targets. First, the protection of religion. Allah SWT says in the Qur’an, “O those who believe, the truth is that wine, gambling, altar-stones and divining arrows are filth, a work of Satan. Therefore, refrain from it, so that you may be successful” (5:90). Since Allah has clearly forbidden it, it is in the protection of religion to obey what has been revealed. Additionally, substances that cause temporary bouts of euphoria are addictive. Their primary goal is to produce a peak of ecstasy so temporary that one simply has to go back for more. In Islam, any such intoxicant is forbidden totally because it forces the consumer to think constantly about the next high and forget their religious duties ad connection to Allah SWT. Not only that, but some pillars of Islam, such as prayer and fasting, are obligatory and require clarity of mind and purity of self. These things are difficult to do if one is tipsy, high, hungover, or looks/smells unpleasant. There are also certain aspects of the worship that have to be performed accurately, and being intoxicated would lead to unpredictable movements and difficulty in recalling these steps, which might nullify the worship. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT states, “O those who believe, do not go near Salah when you are intoxicated until you know what you say…” (4:43). 
 
2. Protection of life. Anything that threatens a Muslim’s existence on this planet is against this purpose. Intoxicants are a very common cause of the threat to life. The global estimate is around 3 million deaths annually due to alcohol misuse. Around 107,000 deaths occurred in 2021 due to drug overdose in the U.S. alone. Not only does being drunk lead to safety issues, such as getting mugged, assaulted, or pushed into a fight in a drunken stupor, it also is a particularly bad situation for women who often get roofied (drugged with a drink), then raped or otherwise assaulted. It is also a very simple way for serial killers, kidnappers, and traffickers to capture someone. Drug and alcohol overdose, as well as DUIs, are a leading cause of death globally. 5.1% of the global burden for disease and injury, as well 13.5% of early death and disability in 20-39 year olds can be attributed to alcohol. 200 diseases in 2018 had alcohol as a contributing factor, not to mention liver diseases, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, which all originate largely from excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, it seems to be a common theme among people who commit suicide. Substance use disorders, whether through drugs or alcohol have a causal relationship to suicide in patients. While alcohol and drugs may not lead directly to suicide, their misuse has been positively linked with suicide ideation and attempted suicide or self-harming behavior involving excessive recklessness or risk. In Islam, suicide is forbidden for this same reason: it threatens the protection of life clause. Muslims are encouraged to eat well, live healthily, and make safe choices so that they can truly dedicate themselves to this life and after. Alcohol consumption is neither healthy nor safe. 
 
3. The preservation of progeny or lineage. The first thing doctors will ask patients who wish to have children is if they smoke or drink, and in what amount. It is important to know because it has a large effect on one’s ability to have healthy children—or children at all. Substance abuse causes low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, and low sex drive in men, as well as infertility, inflammatory diseases, and unwanted pregnancies (and therefore abortion) in women. There are also a host of other consequences; people with alcoholism or addictions often abuse their children and partners, sometimes resulting in infanticide and murder. Babies can be born addicted to substances and have to spend weeks in the ICU being weaned off of them. 
 
4. Protection of intellect. This refers to the preservation of rationale, of logic, of reason, and of judgement. Islam’s perspective of a believer is that once he/she is of age (mukallaf), then they are fully responsible for all actions and decisions. In a semi-conscious state, a believer could do many things he/she would otherwise abstain from, and it would cause chaos in society and on legal terms. Therefore, Muslims are required to remain as alert and conscious as they can at all times. However, a larger aspect of protection of intellect is making sure that there is nothing that reduces the brain’s capacity for thought. It has been proven that alcohol and drug misuse can lead to delusions, memory and sleep disorders, intense symptoms related to withdrawal, anxiety and psychotic disorders, and delirium. They cause paranoia, anger issues, violent episodes, and an increase in symptoms of depression and impulse-control disorders. It causes impaired judgment even when not under the influence, and subtle degradation occurs in the brain overall. It would be impossible, then, to remain thoughtful, reflective, and insightful enough for worship to take place multiple times a day or for a Muslim to maintain a connection with their Lord. 
 
5. Protection of wealth and property. When it comes to drugs and alcohol, there is no doubt that the industry is booming and creates many job opportunities, but it is also a major drawback because the global financial burden of intoxicants can be in billions. The NHS is reported to have lost 3.5 billion pounds annually to alcohol misuse, and there are many further costs that appear long term, such as employee productivity, loss of earnings, and premature mortality. The global economic burden of alcohol alone is 0.6-2.0% of global GDP, not to mention that drug trade is quite an unsustainable economic venture, creating sudden large fluctuations in demand and supply. Not to mention, alcohol and other intoxicants are usually extremely expensive and can drop someone into debt extremely quickly. If an addiction develops, people will often begin gambling or begging in order to procure more, and neither is an option for a Muslim because it is below their dignity. 
 
The Qur’an sums it all up very well: “They ask you, ˹O Prophet˺ about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people—but the evil outweighs the benefit” (2:219). While alcohol and other intoxicants might seem like harmless indulgences, they have very long-term consequences, which we are better off not risking because they can lead to some very dark places. However, at the end of the day, the first reason to abandon this indulgence is because Allah SWT, the All-Knowing, commanded us to do so, and we obey.