He replied:

“It is permissible to drink it for up to three days, provided it does not become intoxicating. If it becomes intoxicating, however, it is forbidden by the explicit words of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—whether this happens before or after the three days. Whenever it becomes intoxicating, it becomes forbidden, for it is authentically reported that he said:

‘Every intoxicant is wine, and every intoxicant is forbidden.’”

He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked:

“If ‘wine’ is boiled over a fire and reduced by a third, is it permissible to use it?”

He replied:

“Praise be to Allah. Once it has become intoxicating, it is forbidden and must be poured away; cooking does not make it lawful. However, if it is cooked before becoming intoxicating until two-thirds have evaporated and one-third remains, and it is not intoxicating, then it is lawful according to the vast majority of Muslims. If it is cooked before becoming intoxicating until a third or half has evaporated, then, if it is intoxicating, it is forbidden according to the positions of all four imams. If it is not intoxicating, it may be used for up to three days, provided it does not become intoxicating.”