In Surah Muhammad it is described ‘in heaven there will be rivers of wine which we can enjoy drinking from it’. I just found this to be contradicting in the fact we can’t drink wine here (for good reasons which I know off) and in heaven we can drink. Can you give me an explanation so I can understand and explain to other if ever asked.

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.

It is Allah and Allah Alone Who decides the prohibition or the lawfulness of things and acts.  Know also that there is a great wisdom behind every Divine Law or Rule.  This wisdom might be known to some and unknown to others.  Prohibition and lawfulness are both trials through which the person shows his/her commitment to abide by everything Allah prescribes and to prove his/her servitude and complete submission to Allah.  Indeed, the believing slave’s response to the Commands of Allah is: "I hear and I obey”.  On the other hand, the losing slave’s response is: “I hear and I disobey".

The believing person has no choice when Allah decrees something he should abide by it with no objection.  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.}[33:36].

The slave should not object to His Lord’s commands or ask about their reason.  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.}[21:23].

Now, when the dwellers of Paradise enter it, they are no longer burdened by orders and commands and they are no longer afflicted as the Pleasure of Allah covers them. As a result, Allah gives them everything they like, including some of the things that were prohibited to them in this life as a reward to their patience and their obedience.  But there is no comparison between what is in Paradise and what is in this life.  Wine in Paradise is dissimilar to wine in this life.  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {There they shall pass from hand to hand a (wine) cup, free from any Laghw (dirty, false, evil vague talk between them), and free from sin (because it will be legal for them to drink).}[52:23]. Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {White, delicious to the drinkers, Neither they will have Ghoul (any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache, a sin, etc.) from that, nor will they suffer intoxication there from.}[37:46-47].  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {They will be served by immortal boys, With cups, and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine, Wherefrom they will get neither any aching of the head, nor any intoxication.}[56:17-19].

Al Qurtubi said while interpreting the Ayah: {….and free from sin (because it will be legal for them to drink).} that 'It means they (the dwellers of Paradise) do not say words nor do they indulge in delirium or say indecent terms as human beings in such a state do in this life.'

Ibn Abbas (Radiya Allahu Anhu) said: 'The word “Laghw” in the verse means false talk, while the word Ta’theem means lies.'

Mujahid said: 'This verse means they do not insult one another or commit sins.'

Qatada said: 'Evil of wine comes from Satan and Allah honoured the wine of Paradise from being infected by the filthiness and harm of the wine in this world, as stated earlier (in other verses).  The wine of Paradise does not cause headaches or stomach aches and does not cause the loss of right reasoning.  And finally it does not drive people to say bad things….'

Allah also informed of its beautiful appearance and taste.  Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {White, delicious to the drinkers, Neither they will have Ghoul (any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache, a sin, etc.) from that, nor will they suffer intoxication there from.}.

Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {….nor will they suffer intoxication there from.}[37:47] this means they do not lose consciousness Ibn Abbas said: 'There are four characteristics of wine: ‘drunkenness, headache, vomiting and urinating.  Allah mentioned the wine of Paradise and He freed it from such characteristics.'

Allah knows best.