The Book of Beverages
The Book of Beverages
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The Book of Beverages

Khamr is the intoxicating drink made from grapes, and every beverage—whether a large or a small amount of it produces intoxication—is likewise khamr. Both its greater and lesser quantities are forbidden among all drinks. This is the position of a number of scholars from the Hijaz and Syria, and anything that contradicts it is refuted by the sound Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. When he was asked about al-bitʿ, a honey-based drink, he said, “Every beverage that intoxicates is forbidden.” He also said, “Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is forbidden,” and, “Whatever intoxicates in large amounts, a small amount of it is forbidden,” and, “If a firq of it intoxicates, then even a handful of it is forbidden.”

Permissible beverages are those whose large quantity does not intoxicate, whether they are grape juice or something else. There is no harm in drinking fresh juice as long as it has not fermented, nor after it has been cooked until a large amount of it no longer intoxicates. Yet it ought not to be reduced