The Quran is complete, perfect and fully detailed for our salvation. It does not specify that the following verse 4:43 is only applicable to early Muslims on the intoxicant issue. Other matters beside the intoxicant are discussed in the same verse in regard to Salat prayer:
[4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.
We need to carefully examine the following two commandments of God on intoxicant:
[4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying….
[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.
The above commandments are still valid and will be valid as long as God Almighty wish to keep them valid. The Quran does not imply any contradiction,
abrogation or evolution in the above verses. The verse 4:43 clearly states not to observe the Contact prayers while intoxicated. The verse 5:90 clearly states not to take intoxicant if we want to be successful. The purposes are clearly stated and attached to each verse above. According to 4:43, the Salat is forbidden if we are intoxicated. According to 5:90, the intoxicant shall be avoided so that we can be successful. Essentially, the verse 5:90 supports 4:43. It does not abrogate or contradict 4:43, nor it evolutes from 4:43.
If we are drunk, we cannot observe Salat and consequently, we are not successful!
The purpose of Salat is to remember God. If we forget God, we forget ourselves!
[59:19] Do not be like those who forgot GOD, so He made them forget themselves. These are the wicked.
The Quranic ruling is precise and simple. It is the “intoxication” we need to avoid. If a drink does not have “intoxication” effect, it is not a bad provision. For example, cooking wine. The ruling is not on the “wine” but “intoxicant”.
There are various factors such as weight, type of drink, food consumption, etc that determine the level of “intoxication”.
When people are intoxicated, they do not know what they are saying. The Quran precisely defines the “intoxication”:
[4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.
Any source which has mental blocking effect is a bad provision. For example, a piece of tobacco when chewed could have mental blocking effect and according to the Quranic standard it could be a bad provision. Grape juice is a good provision. But, when this juice is processed and turned into a substance which can block our mind and prevent us from understanding, it becomes a bad provision.
[16:67] And from the fruits of date palms and grapes you produce intoxicants, as well as good provisions. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who understand.
Intoxicant is a bad provision. It is Satanic.
[2:219] They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, “In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit.” They also ask you what to give to charity: say, “The excess.” GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect,
[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.
[5:91] The devil wants to provoke animosity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to distract you from remembering GOD, and from observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Will you then refrain?
Intoxicant is a bad provision. An example is given:
[22:2] The day you witness it, even a nursing mother will discard her infant, and a pregnant woman will abort her fetus. You will see the people staggering, as if they are intoxicated, even though they are not intoxicated. This is because GOD’s retribution is so awesome.
Intoxication is Satanic and because of this, people in heaven will not experience it:
[37:41] They have deserved provisions that are reserved specifically for them.
[37:42] All kinds of fruits. They will be honored.
[37:43] In the gardens of bliss.
[37:44] On furnishings close to one another.
[37:45] Cups of pure drinks will be offered to them.
[37:46] Clear and delicious for the drinkers.
[37:47] Never polluted, and never exhausted.
The drinks available in the kingdom of Satan (earth) can have toxic effect. On the other hand the drinks available in the Kingdom of God (heaven) do not have toxic effect. So, we need to avoid drinking something which has toxic effect.
[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.
Again, the Quranic ruling is precise and simple. It is the “intoxicant” we need to avoid. If a drink does not have “intoxication” effect, it is not a bad provision. There are various factors such as weight, type of drink, food consumption, etc that determine the level of “intoxication”.
Thank you and may God guide me,
Muhammed Irtaza