Do Not Approach Prayer While Intoxicated — A Stage in Prohibiting Wine
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Level: intermediate
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لَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمۡ سُكَٰرَىٰ
— النساء 43
Verse: "O you who believe, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated." (4:43)
Occasion (Sahih): Before the final prohibition of wine — a group including Abd Al-Rahman ibn Awf attended a meal with drinks. One of them led prayer while confused and garbled the recitation. This verse was revealed prohibiting prayer while intoxicated.
Legislative significance: The second stage in wine prohibition — it practically forbade wine throughout most of the day since prayer times cover nearly all of it. Then came the complete prohibition in Al-Maidah 90.
Source: Al-Wahidi; Al-Suyuti; Ibn Kathir (2/257)
Question: What is the wisdom in prohibiting prayer while intoxicated before fully prohibiting wine?
Answer: The partial prohibition effectively forbade wine for most of the day (prayer times covering most hours) — and prepared people psychologically for complete prohibition rather than direct shock.