Prohibition of Intoxicants — Gradual Legislation
fiqh
Level: intermediate
special
fqh-023
إِنَّمَا ٱلۡخَمۡرُ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرُ وَٱلۡأَنصَابُ وَٱلۡأَزۡلَٰمُ رِجۡسٌ مِّنۡ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ فَٱجۡتَنِبُوهُ
— المائدة 90
Final verse: "O you who believe, intoxicants, gambling, stone altars, and divining arrows are abominations of Satan's handiwork — avoid it." (5:90)
Four stages of prohibition: (1) 16:67: implicit distinction. (2) 2:219: "great sin and some benefit" — discouragement. (3) 4:43: "do not approach prayer while intoxicated" — partial prohibition. (4) 5:90: "avoid it" — total prohibition.
Wisdom of gradation: Wine was deeply rooted in Arab society — gradual prohibition prepares hearts and reduces shock.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (6/285); Ibn Al-Arabi (2/112); Ibn Qudama (9/154)
Question: What are the four stages of the prohibition of wine in the Quran?
Answer: (1) Implicit hint (16:67) (2) Discouragement: "great sin" (2:219) (3) Partial prohibition (4:43) (4) Total prohibition: "avoid it" (5:90).