"Do Not Approach Prayer While Intoxicated" — The Stage Before Prohibition
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Level: intermediate
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لَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمۡ سُكَٰرَىٰ
— النساء 43
Verse: "O believers, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated." (4:43)
Occasion (Sahih): Ali ibn Abi Talib narrated: Abd Al-Rahman ibn Awf prepared food, invited some companions and gave them wine. When prayer time came they put one forward as imam and he recited "Say: O disbelievers, I worship what you worship" without completing it correctly. This verse was then revealed.
Gradual legislation lesson: Total prohibition came in Al-Maidah 90 — but Allah first prepared by prohibiting approaching prayer while drunk. Gradualism in legislation is mercy and method.
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud (3671); Sunan Al-Tirmidhi (3026); Lubab Al-Nuqul
Question: What error occurred in prayer that caused this verse to be revealed?
Answer: The imam recited while drunk distorting the meaning of Surah Al-Kafirun. The prohibition of prayer while intoxicated was then revealed.