Liquor and interest Fatwa No: 86346
- Fatwa Date:27-9-2003
Liquor and interest are forbidden in Islam but readily available/practiced in all Islamic Countries - Why?
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Alcohol (and all other intoxicants), no doubt, is decisively prohibited. Whoever denies its being prohibited is a disbeliever, unless he is a newly convert to Islam or was brought up in a remote place (where no chance of learning is available). Yet, if he insists on denying such ruling after knowing it, then he will be considered a disbeliever. It is also unlawful for a Muslim to deal with usury or drink alcohol whether in a Muslim or a non-Muslim country. It is forbidden for the non-believers as well. The non-believers are promised sever punishment on the Doomsday for such acts, for they are required to do their duties, give up sins, and enter the fold of Islam without which no deed is to be accepted. As for the person who deals with usury and drinks alcohol and sells it in Muslim countries, they are those of weak faith and the ones whose hearts immersed in love for mundane life and its whims. We pray Allah The Almighty that He saves us from such depravity and corruption. However, their dealing with such evils does never mean that such dreadful things are lawful. Allah knows best.