that accords with the faith and is prescribed, or love or fear rooted in faith. Nothing in these states deserves praise if it exceeds what is recommended or distracts from what is more beloved to Allah.

What deserves censure in them is whatever entails neglecting obligatory knowledge or action, or committing something forbidden. Yet if the blameworthy element occurs without negligence or transgression on the servant’s part, he is not blamed for it.

As I have discussed similar matters in the hall of those bewildered by love, the sane among the mad, and those overcome by their spiritual states, some may be left to their states while others may not, for intoxication is a form of being overwhelmed. A person deserves censure if he fails to attain what is obligatory in these states, just as he falls short if he lacks what is recommended in them. Such distinctions must therefore be made concerning these states. And Allah knows best.

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It has thus become clear that one of the two characteristics of intoxication is, in principle, beneficial, while the other is sinful. As Allah Most High says concerning wine:

“Say, ‘In both there is great sin and benefits for people, but their sin is greater than their benefit.’”
Surah al-Baqarah, 219.

Pleasure may be accompanied by something that prevents it from being beneficial, when it is used to aid sin and transgression, just as eating and drinking may be used to aid disbelief, wickedness, and disobedience. There may also be associated