Every intoxicant is prohibited

Explanation

Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that the Prophet (ﷺ) sent him to Yemen. He asked him about certain drinks made there—if they were forbidden—so the Prophet (ﷺ) inquired further about them. Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: They are Al-Bit‘, which is an alcoholic drink made from honey, and Al-Mizr, which is an alcoholic drink made from barley. The Prophet (ﷺ), who had been given concise speech, said: "Every intoxicant is prohibited."

Benefits

• Nabīdh: Water in which dates, honey, barley, or the like are steeped, and it derives good taste from it. It may be fermented after that and become an intoxicant.
• The Hadīth represents a rule prohibiting all intoxicants like wine, hashish, etc.
• It shows the importance of asking about things needed by a Muslim.
• The first stage in the prohibition of alcoholic drinks was at the time of prayer, when one of the Emigrants prayed and recited in his prayer, but mixed up in his recitation, the verse was revealed in which Allah Almighty says: {O you who believe, do not approach the prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 43] And the caller of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would announce: Let no one approach the prayer while intoxicated. Then Allah prohibited it absolutely with His saying: {O you who believe, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters and divining arrows are of Satan’s evil work; therefore avoid such [evil], so that you may be successful. Satan only wants to create enmity and hatred between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to prevent you from remembering Allah and from prayer. Will you not then abstain?} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 90-91]
• Indeed, Allah Almighty has prohibited wine because of its huge harms and evils.
• Prohibition is determined on the basis of the existence of intoxication. If a Nabīdh is intoxicating, it is prohibited; otherwise, it is permissible.

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