And Allah forbade intoxication for two reasons, which He mentioned in His Book:

“Satan only wants to cause animosity and hatred between you through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer.” Surah al-Mā’idah 5:91.

He thus explained that it causes harm to spread from the soul when reason is lost, and prevents the good that can only be accomplished through reason—the very purpose for which the servant was created: remembering Allah and praying.

Intoxication may also arise from pain, just as it may arise from pleasure. As Allah Most High says:

“And you will see the people intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allah is severe.” Surah al-Hajj 22:2.

He thus explained that they appear intoxicated, although they are not intoxicated.

With this understood, intoxication is caused by something that brings pleasure and prevents awareness. This includes intoxication through intoxicating foods and drinks: consuming them brings pleasure and joy, which is what drives most people to drink them. A person’s reason departs, and with it his worries and sorrows disappear for that time.

Some people seek bodily benefit from them. Yet the harm they suffer through the deeds and words arising from intoxication, and their being prevented from benefiting from remembering Allah, praying, and other such acts, entail sin far outweighing that benefit. For the pleasure