65/5.11. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4620 — Alcohol Prohibition in Islam
"Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate (in the past)..." (V.5:93)
Hadith About Alcohol Prohibition and Immediate Obedience
Sahih Bukhari : 4620
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4620
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النُّعْمَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ثَابِتٌ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ الْخَمْرَ، الَّتِي أُهْرِيقَتِ الْفَضِيخُ. وَزَادَنِي مُحَمَّدٌ عَنْ أَبِي النُّعْمَانِ قَالَ كُنْتُ سَاقِيَ الْقَوْمِ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ فَنَزَلَ تَحْرِيمُ الْخَمْرِ، فَأَمَرَ مُنَادِيًا فَنَادَى. فَقَالَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ اخْرُجْ فَانْظُرْ مَا هَذَا الصَّوْتُ قَالَ فَخَرَجْتُ فَقُلْتُ هَذَا مُنَادٍ يُنَادِي أَلاَ إِنَّ الْخَمْرَ قَدْ حُرِّمَتْ. فَقَالَ لِي اذْهَبْ فَأَهْرِقْهَا. قَالَ فَجَرَتْ فِي سِكَكِ الْمَدِينَةِ. قَالَ وَكَانَتْ خَمْرُهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْفَضِيخَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ قُتِلَ قَوْمٌ وَهْىَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ قَالَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {لَيْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا طَعِمُوا}.
Anas Narrated from:
The alcoholic drink which was spilled was Al-Fadikh. I used to offer alcoholic drinks to the people at the residence of Abu Talha. Then the order of prohibiting Alcoholic drinks was revealed, and the Prophet ordered somebody to announce that: Abu Talha said to me, "Go out and see what this voice (this announcement) is."I went out and (on coming back) said, "This is somebody announcing that alcoholic beverages have been prohibited." Abu Talha said to me, "Go and spill it (i.e. the wine)," Then it (alcoholic drinks) was seen flowing through the streets of Medina. At that time the wine was Al-Fadikh. The people said, "Some people (Muslims) were killed (during the battle of Uhud) while wine was in their stomachs."So Allah revealed: "On those who believe and do good deeds there is no blame for what they ate (in the past)." (5.93)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4620In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 142USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 144
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4620
This hadith about alcohol prohibition shows a clear example of quick obedience to Allah’s command. Anas described that he was serving drinks in the house of Abu Talha when the announcement came that alcoholic beverages had been forbidden. Abu Talha did not argue, delay, or look for a way around the command. He simply told Anas to spill it. The drink, Al-Fadikh, flowed through the streets of Madinah. The hadith also mentions that some Muslims had died before the ruling came, while wine was still in their stomachs. The verse then made clear that there was no blame for what had been consumed in the past by those who believed and did good deeds.
What we learn from this hadith
- When a clear command from Allah comes, a believer should respond without delay.
- Past actions before a ruling are treated differently from actions after the ruling is known.
- True faith shows itself in action, not only in words.
- The Companions accepted the prohibition of alcohol with serious obedience.
