her head. Accordingly, we say: Everything that clouds the mind and produces pleasure and exhilaration is wine, whatever its type. He only said, “whatever its type,” in refutation of those who maintain that wine can only be made from grapes. This view is extremely weak and untenable, for the most eloquent speaker of the letter ḍād, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Every intoxicant is wine” (1). He did not say, “from grapes.” Thus, every intoxicant made from grapes, fresh dates, barley, maize, wheat, or anything else is wine; it falls under the prohibition and is forbidden by the Quran, the sunnah, and the consensus of the Muslims.

The proof for this from the Quran is Allah’s saying:

“O you who believe, wine, gambling, idolatrous altars, and divining arrows are but filth from Satan’s handiwork. So shun them, that you may prosper.” [al-Ma'idah: 90]

The point of evidence in the verse lies in His saying, “So shun them,” for the basic implication of a command is obligation. Moreover, Allah attributed it to Satan, saying, “from Satan’s handiwork”; and whatever is from Satan’s handiwork is forbidden, as Allah says:

“O you who believe, do not follow Satan’s footsteps.” [al-Nur: 21]

It also contains sin greater than its benefit, and sin is forbidden, as Allah says:

“Say, ‘My Lord has only forbidden indecencies—whether open or concealed—sin, and wrongful transgression.’” [al-A'raf: 33]

As for the sunnah, it is explicit, in several hadiths from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that it is forbidden, and that selling it is likewise forbidden. This is mentioned in the hadith of Jabir: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, delivered a sermon in Mecca in the year of the Conquest and said: “Indeed, Allah has forbidden the sale of wine,”