Interesting Fact on Wine in the Quran

[mAd_ScIeNtIsT]

An original preaching by me, here on Gupshup.

One common question that I’ve heard and read from non-Muslims is about why alcohol is fobidden to Muslims, when alcohol enables people to enjoy themselves more and science shows that wine can even be beneficial to health.

A common reaction that I’ve seen from many Muslims is to try and attack both of these - to challenge the need for alcohol for enjoyment, and to try to debunk the science linking wine consumption to health.

In fact there is no need to resort to either of these. You can indeed agree with both point, for even the Quran states in Surah AL Baqarah 2:219 that

They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, “In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.” And they ask you what they should spend. Say, “The excess [beyond needs].” Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought.

The Quran itself states that there is benefit to be had from alcoholic drink. However, it states that the downsides outweigh the benefit.

This article from the Economist gives the conclusion of a modern social study that completely vindicates this verse of the Quran.

Drugs that cause most harm: Scoring drugs | The Economist

Researchers led by Professor David Nutt, a former chief drugs adviser to the British government, asked drug-harm experts to rank 20 drugs (legal and illegal) on 16 measures of harm to the user and to wider society, such as damage to health, drug dependency, economic costs and crime. Alcohol is the most harmful drug in Britain, scoring 72 out of a possible 100, far more damaging than heroin (55) or crack cocaine (54). It is the most harmful to others by a wide margin, and is ranked fourth behind heroin, crack, and methamphetamine (crystal meth) for harm to the individual. The authors point out that the model’s weightings, though based on judgment, were analysed and found to be stable as large changes would be needed to change the overall rankings.

So the answer to those who question the ban on alcohol in Islam, and try to sing of its benefits, is that both the Quran and modern studies are clear that alcohol is one of the worst substances to both the individual and to society. The sin is greater than the benefit!

[Ghost14]

Re: Interesting Fact on Wine in the Quran

That's easy to address, the benefits vs the harm. The greater issue is whether or not you can drink responsibly and I know people who do so, but I also know far more people who don't. Then the question becomes: is it worth limiting the freedoms of those few who drink in moderation (harming themselves is their choice) to try to save the many who don't (who also harm themselves by choice)?

I'm kind of conflicted on this. I think you should let people do whatever they want to themselves, as long as they don't affect me, but I also believe that the majority of people are idiots, and will harm themselves if left to their own devices.

[Scherbatsky]

Re: Interesting Fact on Wine in the Quran

@mAd_ScIeNtIsT

This article from the Economist gives the conclusion of a modern social study that completely vindicates this verse of the Quran.

Drugs that cause most harm: Scoring drugs | The Economist

So the answer to those who question the ban on alcohol in Islam, and try to sing of its benefits, is that both the Quran and modern studies are clear that alcohol is one of the worst substances to both the individual and to society. The sin is greater than the benefit!

Cannabis at 20. Nice.

Great post btw!

[Southie]

Re: Interesting Fact on Wine in the Quran

Link was revealing. LSD way at bottom. Marijuana much less harmful than alcohol.