with wine, and then eaten in mouthfuls, resulting in intoxication. It is therefore better to say, as the hadith states: “Whatever intoxicates in a large quantity”—whether it is a beverage, a kneaded substance, or a powdered substance—for whatever intoxicates is forbidden.

If a large quantity intoxicates, then it is clearly forbidden. As for a small quantity, it too is forbidden on the evidence of the hadith, and because it is a means leading to the drinking of the intoxicating large quantity; for this reason, the Sacred Law has prohibited it.

We must distinguish between saying, “Whatever intoxicates in a large quantity, a small quantity of it is forbidden,” and saying, “Whatever is intoxicating and is mixed with something else is forbidden.” “Whatever intoxicates in a large quantity” means that this particular drink itself will intoxicate you if you consume much of it, whereas if you consume little, you will not become intoxicated. Its small quantity is therefore forbidden because it is a means leading to the prohibited matter.

As for wine mixed with something else in such a way that its effect is not apparent, this has no effect. It is like impurity falling into water without altering it.

In that case, the water does not become impure. Thus, if dough is kneaded with wine, it is forbidden, provided that it intoxicates. It is known that if you knead dough with wine, it will undoubtedly affect it. But if it does not affect it—that is, if it is only a slight admixture which becomes negligible and whose effect disappears—then no consideration is given to it.

His statement, “And it is wine, whatever its source may be”: “it” means the intoxicant, and “wine” is based on the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “Every intoxicant is wine” (1). The reason for this designation was explained by Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, when he said: “Wine is that which obscures the mind” (2)—that is, covers it. Hence a woman’s head covering is called a khimār, because it covers