When drinkers are few and the drinker’s case is relatively mild, forty strokes suffice. This is the stronger of the two views. It is the view of al-Shāfiʿī and, according to one of the two reports from him, Ahmad—may Allah have mercy on them both.

When drinking became widespread, Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, added banishment and shaving the head as further deterrents. Thus, it would be appropriate to banish the drinker in addition to administering forty strokes, so that he is no longer heard of, or to remove him from his position of authority. Indeed, when Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, heard that one of his deputies had recited verses about intoxicating drink, he dismissed him.

The intoxicants which Allah and His Messenger prohibited, and for drinking which the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prescribed flogging, include every intoxicating beverage, whatever its source: fruits such as grapes, fresh dates and figs; grains such as wheat and barley; dews such as honey; or animal products such as mares’ milk.

Indeed, when Allah, glorified and exalted is He, revealed the prohibition of intoxicants to His Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, the people of Medina had no grape wine. There were no grapevines in Medina; grape wine was brought in from Syria. Most of their drink was made from dates. Reports transmitted through numerous independent chains from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, his rightly guided caliphs and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, establish that he prohibited every intoxicating drink and made clear that every such drink is khamr.

They also used to drink sweet nabīdh, prepared by placing dates and raisins in water