Tradition

اِجْتَنِبِ الْخَمْرَ فَإِنَّها مِفْتاحُ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

The Prophet (S) is narrated to have said: “Stay away from wine (alcohol) for it is the key to all evils.”1

Brief Commentary

Many books and articles have been written on the ill effects of alcohol, and its negative effects have been proven on the nervous system, heart, blood vessels, digestive system, liver, kidneys, and practically all of the organs of the body. Besides these physically based negative effects, alcohol is related to a great many social ills as well. The statistics on the social dangers of alcohol are truly astounding. In addition to these physical and social ills, there are also spiritual illnesses which arise from alcohol and distance us from our Creator. These words of the Prophet (S) are enough for us to understand that alcohol is the key to many of the evils of this world.

• 1. Nahj al-Fasahah, p. 1.