Anyone deeply versed in the evidence of revealed law can establish most rulings through both revealed texts and analogies. Thus, both the revealed text and analogy establish the same ruling, as in the examples we have mentioned. Analogy indicates that every intoxicant is forbidden, just as the revealed text does.

Allah has forbidden wine because it causes enmity and hatred among us and keeps us from remembering Allah and from prayer, as the Quran indicates. This same consideration applies to all intoxicating drinks, with no distinction between one drink and another. To distinguish between varieties belonging to this same category is to distinguish between like things and depart from what sound analogy entails, just as it is a departure from what the revealed texts entail. They acknowledge that their position runs contrary to analogy, but say: “We have transmitted reports supporting it, and we have followed them.” They also say: “The term ‘wine’ does not encompass every intoxicant.” They have misunderstood the revealed text—even though they are scholars exercising independent judgment and are rewarded for their efforts.

Knowing whether the terms occurring in a revealed text are general or specific in scope is part of knowing the limits of what Allah has revealed to His Messenger. Allah Most High says:

“The Bedouins are more extreme in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to be ignorant of the limits of what Allah has revealed to His Messenger.”

An exhaustive assessment of the arguments of those who reject analogy and those who affirm it would be lengthy; this page cannot accommodate a fuller discussion. And Allah knows best.