and carrion, swine, and idols.” (1) He also said to the owner of the wine-skins: “When Allah forbids something, He forbids its price.” (2)

What, then, are the wisdoms behind its prohibition?

The answer: The wisdoms behind its prohibition are many. Among them is Allah’s saying:

“Wine, gambling, idolatrous altars, and divining arrows are but filth from Satan’s handiwork.”

Everyone of sound natural disposition refuses what is filthy and from Satan’s handiwork.

Another is that it causes enmity and hatred among people, as Allah says:

“Satan only seeks to stir up enmity and hatred among you through wine and gambling.” [al-Ma'idah: 91]

Another is that it turns one away from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. For when an intoxicated person—Allah’s protection is sought—becomes drunk, he becomes heedless and may remain for some time without remembering Allah; nor does he pray when the time for prayer arrives, because he is forbidden to do so:

“O you who believe, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying.” [al-Nisa': 43]

Another is that it is the source of all sin—that is, it gathers within itself every sin and is a key to every evil.

This too is evident, for when a person—Allah’s protection is sought—becomes drunk, he loses awareness. He may kill himself, kill his son, kill his mother, or commit fornication with his daughter—Allah’s protection is sought. How many cases we hear of in which, when a man becomes drunk, he knocks at his own door and asks his wife to allow him access to his daughter. This is something that truly occurs.