In recent times, a dangerous narrative has emerged among some educated voices, even those presented as “scholars”:

that small quantities of alcohol, which allegedly do not cause dizziness, may be acceptable.

This claim is not only religiously false, but socially irresponsible, morally destructive, and spiritually disastrous.

A person who claims knowledge bears greater responsibility, not less.

Finding “ways out” of Allah’s clear commands is not scholarship — it is betrayal of trust.

This article clarifies, in depth, why Islam forbids alcohol absolutely, why no amount is pure, and how alcohol acts as a gateway to almost every major harm known to mankind.

All explanations are grounded in the understanding of Sh. Touqeer Ansari and the framework of QuranExplains.com.

1. Knowledge Increases Responsibility, Not Permission

Allah warns that those who possess knowledge are more accountable, not more flexible.

A scholar who searches for technical loopholes to justify alcohol consumption — even in small quantities — is doing something far worse than an ignorant sinner:

• He normalizes haram

• He confuses the masses

• He opens doors to destruction for others

Islam does not reward clever reinterpretation of clear prohibitions.

It condemns it.

2. Qur’anic Verdict: Alcohol Is “Rijs” (Impurity)

Allah does not describe alcohol as a “controlled substance” or “conditionally risky.”

He describes it as:

“Rijs” — filth, impurity, abomination

 Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90)

Allah commands believers to avoid intoxicants completely.

The Arabic command “اجتنبوه” (avoid it) means:

• Do not consume it

• Do not approach it

• Do not normalize it

• Do not justify it

Something declared rijs cannot become pure by dilution.

Impurity does not transform into purity by reducing quantity.

3. “Small Amounts” — The Most Dangerous Lie

The argument usually goes like this:

“One beer doesn’t make me dizzy.”

This argument ignores human reality and historical evidence.

No alcoholic begins by drinking a whole case.

No addict begins by being an addict.

The path almost always follows this sequence:

1. One drink — “no effect”

2. Two or three — “still controlled”

3. Regular use

4. Dependence

5. Addiction

6. Collapse

Beer leads to wine.

Wine leads to spirits.

Occasional use becomes routine.

Routine becomes dependency.

Islam blocks this entire slope at the first step.

4. Alcohol: The Gateway to Major Sins

Alcohol is not an isolated action.

It is a gateway sin.

Historically and socially, alcohol is directly linked to:

• Bars and nightclubs

• Gambling environments

• Fornication and adultery

• Prostitution

• Physical violence

• Sexual crimes

• Organized crime

• Drunk driving

• Domestic abuse

Once judgment is weakened, every moral boundary becomes negotiable.

This is why Islamic teachings describe alcohol as:

“The key to all evil”

5. Harm to the Individual (Mind, Body, Soul)

 The Mind

Islam places immense value on ʿaql (intellect).

Alcohol directly attacks:

• Judgment

• Self-control

• Decision-making

• Moral awareness

A person may feel sober while already being impaired.

 The Body

Alcohol contributes to:

• Liver damage

• Brain deterioration

• Heart disease

• Cancer risks

• Hormonal imbalance

Even low, repeated exposure causes cumulative damage.

 The Soul

Alcohol:

• Weakens remembrance of Allah

• Reduces sensitivity to sin

• Makes prayer burdensome

• Gradually distances the heart from faith

A sin that blocks prayer is not “minor”.

6. Family Destruction: The Silent Victims

Alcohol does not stop with the drinker.

It destroys:

• Marriages

• Parenting

• Financial stability

• Emotional safety of children

Many people who end up:

• Homeless

• Estranged from family

• Financially ruined

…began with “controlled” or “social” drinking.

Islam looks at outcomes, not excuses.

7. Society Pays the Price

Where alcohol is normalized, societies face:

• Increased crime

• Sexual violence

• Road fatalities

• Health system collapse

• Broken communities

Islam is not naive.

It legislates to protect society before damage becomes irreversible.

8. The Prophet’s ﷺ Final Closure of All Loopholes

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ left no ambiguity:

“Whatever intoxicates in large amounts,

a small amount of it is also haram.”

This hadith eliminates:

• “Low percentage” arguments

• “Medical justification” abuse

• “Non-dizzy” claims

Islam does not wait for harm to appear — it prevents harm from beginning.

9. Cultural Justifications Are Not Divine Proof

Some argue from national or cultural contexts:

• “In certain countries it’s common”

• “Social norms are different”

• “Scholars there allow it”

Islam is not owned by any country.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Europe, America — none of these redefine halal and haram.

A Muslim follows:

• Allah

• His Last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Not cultural pressure, not academic trends, not social convenience.

10. True Scholarship Protects the Ummah

A true scholar:

• Closes doors to harm

• Protects the weak

• Blocks normalization of sin

• Upholds clear divine commands

A false scholar:

• Searches for loopholes

• Makes haram fashionable

• Confuses people

• Carries responsibility for others’ destruction

Conclusion: Absolute Prohibition Is Mercy

Islam does not say:

“Drink responsibly.”

Islam says:

“Do not drink at all.”

Because:

• Impurity cannot become pure

• Harm does not need intoxication to begin

• The slope always starts with the first step

• Prevention is mercy, not extremism

No amount of alcohol is safe.

No amount is pure.

No amount is permissible.

This is not harshness.

This is divine protection for mankind.

 Written by:

Sh. Touqeer Ansari

 QuranExplains.com