Sukr (سكر)
Definition
Sukr (سكر) refers to the state of drunkenness or intoxication. In Islamic context, it typically pertains to the condition resulting from consuming alcohol or intoxicants, which impair one’s physical and mental faculties.
Etymology
The Arabic word سُكْر (sukr) derives from the root س-ك-ر (s-k-r), which conveys the idea of being blocked or closed off, referencing the impairments that drunkenness causes to one’s senses and judgment. In Turkish, the term is also used as Sarhoşluk.
Religious Implications
Prohibition in Islam
The consumption of alcohol and intoxicants is strictly prohibited in Islam. The Qur’an explicitly forbids it in several verses:
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Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219): “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, in them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.”
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Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90-91): “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.”
These verses reflect the emphasis on avoiding alcohol due to its negative implications on health, social behavior, and spiritual well-being.
Ethical Perspective
Islamic ethical teachings stress the importance of maintaining sobriety to fulfill religious obligations like Salah (prayers) and to keep one’s conduct morally aligned. Drunkenness impairs the capacity for rational thought and undermines moral discretion, leading to actions that contradict Islamic moral and ethical principles.
Legal Aspects in Islamic Jurisprudence
Punitive Measures
Islamic law, particularly in traditional Sharia, prescribes specific punitive measures for intoxication:
- Hadd Punishment: Classical Islamic jurisprudence imposes a fixed corporal punishment for drinking alcohol, often lashes. The exact implementation can vary depending on the Islamic school of thought (e.g., Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali).
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “An Introduction to Islamic Law” by Joseph Schacht
- “Alcohol and Alcoholism in Islam” by Arif Zaman
- “Understanding Islamic Law: From Classical to Contemporary” by Hisham M. Ramadan
- “The Concept of Drug Use in Islamic Jurisprudence: Realities and Challenges” by Turki bin Saad Al-Ghyath
Takeaways
- Sukr (سكر) represents the state of drunkenness and is prohibited in Islam.
- The prohibition is based on Qur’anic revelations and aims to preserve the individual’s moral and social well-being.
- Drunkenness impairs one’s religious duties and ethical behavior.
- Islamic jurisprudence has established punitive measures for those who consume intoxicants.
Conclusion
Understanding the term **Sukr (سكر) and its implications in Islam is crucial for comprehending the broader Islamic ethical and legal framework concerning intoxicants. Islamic teachings emphasize sobriety to maintain one’s moral, ethical, and spiritual health, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Islamic law and ethics.
This entry provides a structured and comprehensive understanding of Sukr (سكر), elucidating its significance in Islam from various perspectives.
