Wine: Is There A Contradiction in the Qur'an?
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Reference: A Muslim's correspondence in response to an article
on the web site entitled, Wine: Allah's
Provision or Shaitan's Abomination?
Muslim: What do you think would be
more convincing for the Muslims to be converted:
Option A: Telling them the new rule directly. You cannot drink
wine!
Option B: Bringing the rule slowly so that they can get used
to it. First you tell them you can drink. Then, don't be drunk
while praying. Then don't drink before coming to prayers. Then
don't drink because you are not fully conscious of what you
are doing.
The fact is you cannot just come and say what to do and what
not to do. You have to be easy on them in the beginning and
then show them the whole aspect. They're just going to think
that your bringing nonsense to them if you don't. |
Response: The problem with this Muslim's argument is the
rationale that Muhammad offered was not based upon his followers'
ability or willingness to accept the legal status of wine. As can be
seen in Sura an-Nahl, wine is a blessed sign
of Allah's provision for those who use their understanding, i.e.,
believers. In the context, Allah sends the rain upon the earth, the
milk from the cattle and the wine and provision from the date-palm
and grapes. Unbelievers don't understand that these blessings are really from Allah.
And ALLAH has sent down water from the sky and has quickened the
earth after its death. Surely, in that is a Sign for a people who
would listen to the truth. And surely in the cattle too there is a
lesson for you. WE provide for you drink out of that which is in
their bellies ... milk pure and pleasant for those who drink it. And
of the fruits of the date-palms and the grapes, whence you obtain
intoxicating drink and wholesome food. Verily in that is a Sign for
a people who use their understanding. And of the fruits of the
date-palms and the grapes, whence you obtain intoxicating drink and
wholesome food. Verily in that is a Sign for a people who use their
understanding. Sura An-Nahl 16:65-67 1
The contradiction arises because Sura al-Ma'idah 5:90 states that
wine is is only an abomination of Satan.
O ye who believe! wine and the game of chance and idols and
divining arrows are only the abomination of Satan's handiwork. So
shun each one of them that you may prosper. Al-Ma'idah 5:90
The Muslim's argument would be plausible, if his
argument
corresponded to the rationale in the Qur'an. However, the Qur'an
states that wine is a sign of blessing from Allah and then states
that it is an abomination
of Satan. The Qur'anic reasons have nothing to do with the Muslim's
argument. Consequently, his argument does not remove the contradiction in
the Qur'an.
Last edited 02/09/2004
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