Personally I do not consume alcohol. I do not take business from the likes of GAB or Carlsberg. Okay, we also do not accept business from Tobacco and Gambling based company too. We are kosher :)
However, contrary to popular belief, the Quran did not ban the alcohol – just like that.
The Quran approaches the issue in three stages spread over many numbers of years. The Quran see alcohol consumption and gambling from a sociological perspective and deemed them as a social problem – not a legal one and definitely not a political issue.
There were three stages.
At the initial stage, when queried about gambling and intoxicants, the Quran suggested,
“They will ask thee about intoxicants and games of chance. Say’ In both there is great evil as well as some benefits for man; but the evil which they cause is greater than the benefit which they bring’ (Quran 2:219)
During the trial period, the Quran pointed out the following.
“ O, You who have attained to faith! Do not attempt to pray while you are in a state of drunkenness, (but wait) until you know what you are saying; not yet (while you are) in a stage requiring total absolution, until you have bathed...(Quran 4:43)
Note that at this stage, the Muslims have already been practicing their daily prayers. The verse was aimed at ‘those who have attained to faith' but yet at the time are still boozes who go drunk.
And finally, at the final stage, the Quran pointed that,
‘O, You who have attained to faith! Intoxicants and games of chance, and idolatrous practices, and the divining of the future are but a loathsome evil of Satan’s doing: Shun it, then, so that you might attain to a happy state.’
(Quran 5:90)
According to traditions (Al-Bukhari) the Muslims during that time were so ready to accept this commandment that they poured forth all their alcoholic beverages stored on the ground the very same day of it’s prohibitions, i.e. as the poets suggested, wine flowed in the streets of Madinah.
Are we ready to pour away our alcoholic beverages on the streets of Kuala Lumpur?
Well said Anas. If someone were to pay attention to the word "intoxication" and the word "shun", then that girl would not have gotten whipped.
ReplyDeleteI don't get that "respect the area where there is majority of Muslims by not drinking part" especially in shah alam, because frankly, if a muslim wants to get drunk, he doesn't need to buy them, just ... knock on some rich muslims doors,heck, even the head of the state's door, and you may get beer served if you're real kamceng with the host. I understand the drinking more than I do the hypocrisy. Oh btw, i take full responsibility of what i've just said just now.
What about respect for the minority? Don't they deserve the respect and the right to drink too? You can't make them abide to the laws of the Quran, for they did not avow to become Muslim. Why is it that only the majorities deserve "respect"?
Don't get me wrong. I'm not addressing the issue of drinking and getting intoxicating here (i do hope this difference can be appreciated),one should know the pros and cons of alcohol intoxication, and the choice they take is for them to bear the consequences. I'm actually addressing the issue of "respect". The people who buys alcohol do not buy them and drink them in the homes of the Muslims, so what is there to be upset about. If the Muslims are worried about more Muslims drinking, then don’t, because people will do what they want to do anyway, (when there is a will there is a way), sometimes even more so when prohibited. Why don’t you make people understand why getting intoxicated is not a good option. Why feel insecure about it? If your system have succeeded in producing a generation of muslim that truly understand, why they should choose not drinking alcohol by choice, and not by chance, then why worry about the rampant sales of alcohol? I sit with people who drink and yet they respect my choice of not drinking as much as I respect their prerogative and privacy to do so. Drinking alcohol does not make someone a bad person, just someone with a bad habit should they not be able to control themselves while drinking.
P/S
Some say “Beauty is to the eye of the BEERholder”. So why are we upset with the drinkers when beauty is all they see in you ;-D
"This isn’t a mere commentary response, but a reflection to me for decisions i have taken in the past”.
ReplyDeleteWine ‘alcohol’ was used in the early church for its medicinal values, during a feast of celebration and sacrificial rituals. In 1 Timothy 5 : 23, Paul mentions “stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses”.
However the bible criticizes foolishness leading to over consumption of alcohol that lead to drunkenness. The consequences of Noah (Genesis 9 : 20-27) & Lot’s (Genesis 19 : 30-38) drunkenness were intended to serve as examples of the dangers on intemperance. Drunkenness is regarded as sin and it desecrates the body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 11 : 17 – 34.
A few examples extracted from the bible on alcohol consumption :
Daniel 1:5, 8, 16; 10:3 Daniel, who refused to drink the king's wine was especially blessed by the Lord.
Daniel 5:1-2 This is a tragic example of a king who drank and led his people to also.
Daniel 3:25-28 Moral degradation, of which drinking is a symptom, is ultimately punished by God.
Habakkuk 2:5 – 16 Arrogance is inflamed by drink, it is wrong to lead another to drink, drink leads to shame and humiliation.
Luke 1:15 The greatness of John the Baptist is linked with his total abstinence.
1 Corinthians 5:11 Christians are forbidden to keep company with drunkards.
1 Corinthians 11:21 The Lord's Supper is no time for drunkenness.
Galatians 5:21 Drunkenness prevents men from inheriting the Kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:18 Christians are commanded not to be drunk with wine but to be filled with the spirit.
Deuteronomy 21:20 Drinking alcohol was one of the attributes of a stubborn, rebellious and disobedient son.
1 Kings 16:8-10 Elah, King of Israel was murdered by one of his captains "While drinking himself drunk".
Proverbs 21:17 Drinking Leads to Poverty
Proverbs 23:21- 34 Admonishes to refrain from even looking upon wine, alcohol fills minds with impure & perverse thoughts, alcohol brings on danger, accidents and insecurity...
Personally, i don’t think drastic measures to ban alcohol is necessary. Because the issue here is not alcohol on its own, but human activity of over indulgence in alcohol. It certainly is extremely important to consume in moderation and avoid getting oneself drunk. The ability to make wise and rationale decisions are of paramount importance.
But then again, where alcohol is concerned .. because of its nature to effect the co-ordination system of the brain, being wise or trying to rationalize ‘upon alcohol consumption’ can be futile. Therefore, a better option would certainly be to totally abstain unless if one can be very sure and confident about his/her self-control.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThere's sumthin i dun understand...
why do u hv 3 blogs but there's nuthin posted on the other 2?
Mutual respect for other adults' choices and culture. That's whats missing in many societies, more so in Malaysia these days. Intolerance breeds more intolerance. And its hard to break.
ReplyDeleteI have an alcohol blog, and have had a few hate mails. Coz its alcohol