An intoxicant is something that causes physical or psychological intoxication. Allaah says;
"O ye who believe Intoxicants [all kinds of alcoholic drinks, and gambling, and al-Ansab, and al-Azlam [arrows for seeking luck or decision} are abomination of Shaitan's handiwork. So avoid [strictly all that [abomination] in order that you may be successful. " [Q 5:90]
Intoxicants are not limited to alcohol alone but everything that beclouds the mind from sound judgement. Therefore, things like cocaine, marijuana, alcohol [alcoholic wine, champagne, beer, etc.] morphine etc. Taking intoxicants in large or small quantity is forbidden irrespective of whether the person is intoxicated as a result of that or not. It is also forbidden to sell or trade in intoxicants.
CONSUMING INTOXICANTS: Sweat of the people of Hell
The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said; Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah: A person came from Jayshan, a town of Yemen, and he asked Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about the wine which was drunk in their land and which was prepared from millet and was called Mizr. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) asked whether that was intoxicating. He said: Yes. There upon Allaah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
Every intoxicant is forbidden. Verily Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, made a covenant to those who drank intoxicants to make them drink Tinat al-Khabal. They said: Allaah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), what is Tinat al-Khabal? He said:
It is the sweat of the denizens of Hell or the discharge of the denizens of Hell. [Muslim]
Forbidden for him
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said;
"Whoever takes wine in this world, it will be made forbidden for him in the Hereafter." [Muslim]
Everyone is individually accountable for what he or she does
"Every individual will be accountable for what he or she earns" [Q 52:21]
behold, you come back to Us bare and alone as We have created you for the first time. You have left behind you all [the favours] which We bestowed on you. We see not with you your intercessors whom you thought to be partners in you’re a Hairs. So now all relations between you have been cut off, and your [pet] fancies have you in lurch"[Q 6:94]
The teachings of our beloved Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] emphasize this very same concept. It was reported from Anas [RA] that the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, "Three things follow a deceased person to his grave. These are members of his family, his possessions, and his deeds. Two of them return and one stays with him. His family and wealth returns and only his deeds remain with him." [Agreed upon]
All these verses of the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet [peace and blessings of A1laahbe upon him] indicate that we will all return back to Allaah as individuals. We will not be able to take anything of our worldly belonging with us: no wealth, no family, no relatives, no friends- even the closest friend-will not accompany us to speak on our behalf or defend our position.
Only our good deeds will go with us. Imagine, only you and your good deeds will stand in front of Allaah on the Day of Judgement to receive the details of your account as the Qur'an says,
"Read your own Record, sufficient is your soul this Day to make out an account against you"[Q 17:14]
Importance of this concept This concept is particularly important for us as teens. It will help us in selecting the right kind of friends. It will help us in not wanting to follow the crowd just to fit in. We will think twice before selecting a friend who may have a negative influence on us.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited