Drunkenness - الشرب (Shurb)
Definition
Drunkenness in Islamic context is referred to as Shurb (شرب), which denotes the state of a person who has consumed intoxicating liquor. The term Sukr (سكر) is used to imply a state of drunkenness.
Etymology
The Arabic term شرب (Shurb) literally means “drinking” and is associated with the consumption of intoxicants. Meanwhile, سكر (Sukr) derives from the root meaning “to be drunk” or “intoxicated”.
Prohibition and Punishment
In Islam, the consumption of any form of alcohol is strictly prohibited. This prohibition is derived from various verses in the Qur’an and Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), emphasizing the adverse effects of alcohol on the individual and society.
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Qur’anic Reference: “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:90)
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Hadith Reference: “Every intoxicant is Khamr (wine or alcoholic beverage), and every Khamr is forbidden.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Legal Implications
In Islamic jurisprudence, there is no distinction between a person who consumes wine (khamr) and a person found in a state of drunkenness. The legal framework necessitates severe punishments, reflecting the gravity of the offense:
- If a Muslim drinks wine, and two witnesses testify to his having done so.
- If his breath smells of wine.
- If he confesses to having taken wine.
- If he is found in a state of intoxication.
Punishment: The prescribed punishment for such an offense is flogging with eighty stripes for a free person and forty stripes for a slave. (Refer to: Hidāyah, vol. ii. p. 57; Mishkāt, bk. xv. c. iv.)
Related Concepts and Practices
Khamr (خمر)
- Refers to any intoxicating substance, specifically alcoholic beverages, considered haram (forbidden) in Islam.
Further Reading
To delve deeper into the Islamic perspective on intoxicants and related jurisprudence, the following books are recommended:
- “The Ordinances of Government” by Al-Mawardi - Discusses various rules within Islamic governance including those related to intoxicants.
- “Reliance of the Traveller” by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri - A classical manual of Islamic Sacred Law that provides comprehensive details on various rulings including those about intoxicants.
- “The Hidayah: A Commentary on the Islamic Laws” by Burhan al-Din al-Marghinani - A significant resource expounding on various facets of Islamic law.
Takeaways and Conclusion
- Drunkenness in Islam, known as Shurb, is unequivocally forbidden.
- The legal ramifications of consuming alcohol are severe, underpinning the prohibition’s importance in preserving societal and individual well-being.
- Scholars and Islamic texts provide a robust framework for understanding the comprehensive stance of Islam against intoxicants.
Understanding these facets helps grasp the depth and intentionality behind Islamic prescriptions related to drunkenness, reflecting a balanced approach towards ethical and societal conduct.
