When drinking became widespread, Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—augmented its punishment with banishment and shaving the offender’s head, to provide a stronger deterrent (1). Thus, if the drinker were subjected, in addition to the forty lashes, to a discretionary punishment such as having his stipend cut off (2) or being removed from office, that would be appropriate. Umar ibn al-Khattāb—may Allah be pleased with him—was informed that one of his deputies had recited verses about wine, so he dismissed him (3).
The wine that Allah Most High and His Messenger prohibited, and whose drinker the Prophet ordered to be flogged, comprises every intoxicating drink, whatever its source—whether made from fruits, such as grapes, fresh dates, raisins (4), and figs; grains, such as wheat and barley; tulūl, such as honey; or animal products, such as mare’s milk. Indeed, when Allah Most High revealed to His Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—the prohibition of wine, they had no grape wine in Medina (5) at all (6), because in Medina (7) there were no
(1) Reported by Abd al-Razzāq (9/231–233), from Umar and others.
(2) In the base manuscript, the word could be read as *khabarahu* (“his report”), and this is also the reading in (T). The text is corrupt in (L). What follows will support the reading we have adopted (p. 146).
(3) He was al-Nu‘mān ibn Adi—may Allah be pleased with them both. Umar appointed him governor of Maysān. He composed poetry and said:
Has word reached the fair lady that her beloved … in Maysān is served drink in glass and earthenware jars?
Whenever I wish, the notables of a village sing to me … and a dancing girl stands poised on the tip of each foot.
If you are my drinking companion, serve me with the larger cup … and do not serve me with the smaller, chipped one.
Perhaps the Commander of the Faithful will be displeased … by our carousing in the dilapidated palace.
Reported by Ibn Sa‘d in *al-Tabaqāt* (4/130–131).
(4) The words “and raisins” appear in the base manuscript.
(5) In the base manuscript, this is followed by the word “anything,” but it does not belong here.
(6) This is established in al-Bukhārī (4616), from the hadith of Ibn Umar—may Allah be pleased with them both.
(7) The words “any grape wine, because it did not exist in Medina” are omitted from (Y).