The correct view, however, is that held by the great majority of Muslims: every intoxicant is khamr (wine), and whoever drinks it is to be flogged, even if he drinks only a single drop, whether for medicinal purposes or otherwise. For the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked about using wine medicinally and replied:

“It is a disease, not a remedy. Allah has not placed the healing of my community in what has been forbidden to them.”

The prescribed punishment must be imposed when the offence is established by evidence or the drinker confesses. If, however, the smell of wine is detected on him, or he is seen vomiting it, or something similar occurs, one view holds that the prescribed punishment is not to be imposed, since he may have drunk something other than wine, or drunk wine without knowing what it was, or under compulsion, or in similar circumstances.

Another view holds that he is indeed to be flogged if he knew that it was intoxicating. This is what has been transmitted from the Rightly Guided Caliphs and other Companions, including 'Uthmān, 'Alī and Ibn Mas'ūd. It is supported by the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and it is the position conducive to people's upright conduct. It is also the position of Mālik, of Ahmad in most of his recorded statements, and of others.

Hashish made from grape leaves is likewise forbidden, and whoever consumes it is to be flogged just as a wine drinker is flogged. It is more pernicious than wine in that it corrupts the mind and constitution, inducing effeminacy, indifference to sexual misconduct within one's family, and other forms of corruption. Wine is more pernicious in that it leads to quarrelling and fighting. Both turn people away from the remembrance of Allah Most High and from prayer.

Some later jurists hesitated over applying the prescribed punishment for it and held that whoever consumes it