Sunday, January 17, 2016

Sanctity of Human Life & The Sin in Intoxicants

During a discussion on another topic, someone stated: In Islam Drinking is NOT a SIN it simply says that "Its benefits are outweighed by its ill effects"... Its not recommended but is NOT really a Sin... There are bigger sins in Islam like killing innocent people which is the biggest sin.. But that doesn't seem to bother the Fundos?????

My Comments: It is forbidden to take human life and only the State is granted two exceptions. Intoxicants are discouraged as the sin is greater than the benefit, and it is termed as the work of Satan. Quoted below are some relevant verses for some perspective on the issue. 

Sanctity of Human Life
Human life is sacred and taking a human life is only permissible in the following conditions, and each of them are to be sanctioned and executed by the State: 
1) combatants during battle 
2) a murderer  

Quran narrates the history of humans from Adam onwards. Quran 5:27-31 relates the murder of a son of Adam by his brother. Quran 5:28 informs us that the son who was murdered did not defend himself out of fear of God. Quran 5:32 thus informs us: 
[Quran 5:32] From time that, We ordained on (the) Children (of) Israel that he who kills a soul other than (for) a soul or (for) spreading corruption in the earth then (it) is as if he has killed all [the] mankind, and whoever saves it then (it) is as if he has saved all [the] mankind. And surely came to them Our Messengers with clear Signs yet, indeed, many of them after that in the earth (are) surely those who commit excesses. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/5/32/

[Quran 2:190,193] And fight in (the) way (of) Allah those who fight you and (do) not transgress. Indeed, Allah (does) not like the transgressors. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out, and [the] oppression (is) worse than [the] killing. And (do) not fight them near Al-Masjid Al-Haraam until they fight you in it. Then if they fight you, then kill them. Such (is the) reward (of) the disbelievers. Then if they cease, then indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 
And fight (against) them until not (there) is oppression, and becomes the religion for Allah Then if they cease then (let there be) no hostility except against the oppressors. 

As per the verses of Chapter 9, the State of Medina (believers) declared war on the State of Makkah. The following verses of Chapter 2 command the Muslims to prepare for battle:   
[Quran 2:216,217] Is prescribed upon you [the] fighting while it (is) hateful to you. But perhaps [that] you dislike a thing and it (is) good for you; and perhaps [that] you love a thing and it (is) bad for you. And Allah knows while you (do) not know. They ask you about the month [the] sacred - (concerning) fighting in it. Say, "Fighting therein (is) a great (sin); but hindering (people) from (the) way (of) Allah, and disbelief in Him and (preventing access to) Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, and driving out its people from it, (is) greater (sin) near Allah. And [the] oppression (is) greater than [the] killing." And not they will cease (to) fight with you until they turn you away from your religion, if they are able. And whoever turns away among you from his religion, then dies while he (is) a disbeliever for those became worthless their deeds in the world and the Hereafter. And those (are) companions (of) the Fire, they in it (will) abide forever. 

Chapter 17 further confirms the role of the State in the matter of murder:   
[Quran 17:33] And (do) not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever (is) killed wrongfully, verily We have made for his heir an authority, but not he should exceed in the killing. Indeed, he is helped. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/17/33/]  



Intoxicants
The Quran states that there is great sin in intoxicants. The Arabic term used is ith'm: 
... قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا ...
[Quran 2:219] They ask you about [the] intoxicants and [the] games of chance Say, "In both of them (is) a sin great, and (some) benefits for [the] people. But sin of both of them (is) greater than (the) benefit of (the) two." And they ask you what they (should) spend. Say, "The surplus." Thus makes clear Allah to you [the] Verses so that you may ponder, [http://islamawakened.com/quran/2/219/]
The term ith'm is generally translated as sinhttp://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Avm#(2:219:7) 

[Quran 5:90] O you who believe! Verily the intoxicants and [the] games of chance and (sacrifices at) altars and divining arrows (are an) abomination from (the) work (of) the Shaitaan, so avoid it so that you may (be) successful. [http://islamawakened.com/quran/5/90/

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