51/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5540 — The Clear Prohibition of Khamr
Prohibition of Khamr
Hadith About Khamr Prohibition and Umar’s Clear Response
Sunan an-Nasai : 5540
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5540
أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ السُّنِّيُّ قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ فِي بَيْتِهِ قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا الإِمَامُ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ شُعَيْبٍ النَّسَائِيُّ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ أَبِي مَيْسَرَةَ عَنْ عُمَرَ رضى الله عنه قَالَ لَمَّا نَزَلَ تَحْرِيمُ الْخَمْرِ قَالَ عُمَرُ اللَّهُمَّ بَيِّنْ لَنَا فِي الْخَمْرِ بَيَانًا شَافِيًا. فَنَزَلَتِ الآيَةُ الَّتِي فِي الْبَقَرَةِ فَدُعِيَ عُمَرُ فَقُرِئَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ اللَّهُمَّ بَيِّنْ لَنَا فِي الْخَمْرِ بَيَانًا شَافِيًا. فَنَزَلَتِ الآيَةُ الَّتِي فِي النِّسَاءِ { يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لاَ تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنْتُمْ سُكَارَى } فَكَانَ مُنَادِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَقَامَ الصَّلاَةَ نَادَى لاَ تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنْتُمْ سُكَارَى فَدُعِيَ عُمَرُ فَقُرِئَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ بَيِّنْ لَنَا فِي الْخَمْرِ بَيَانًا شَافِيًا. فَنَزَلَتِ الآيَةُ الَّتِي فِي الْمَائِدَةِ فَدُعِيَ عُمَرُ فَقُرِئَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ { فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُونَ } قَالَ عُمَرُ رضى الله عنه انْتَهَيْنَا انْتَهَيْنَا.
'Umar Narrated from:
When the prohibition of Khamr was revealed, 'Umar said: "O Allah, give us a clear ruling on Khamr," and the Verse in Al-Baqarah was revealed. 'Umar was called and it was recited to him. Then 'Umar said: "O Allah, give us a clear ruling on Khamr," and the Verse in An-Nisa' was revealed: "O you who believe! Approach not As-Salah (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state". And when the Iqamah for prayer was said, the caller of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] would cry out: "O you who believe! Approach not As-Salah (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state."'Umar was called and this was recited to him. Then he said: "O Allah, give us a clear ruling on Khamr." Then the Verse in Surat Al-Ma'idah was revealed, and 'Umar was called, and it was recited to him. When he reached the words, "So, will you not then abstain?," 'Umar said: "We have abstained, we have abstained."
[1] Khamr : often translated as “wine”, the word Khamr refers to any kind of intoxicant, including all kinds of alcoholic drinks.[1] An-Nisâ' 4:43.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5540In-book reference : Book 51, Hadith 1English translation : Vol. 6, Book 51, Hadith 5542
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5540
This Hadith about Khamr prohibition shows how strongly Umar wanted a clear ruling about intoxicating drink. He kept asking Allah for a clear statement about Khamr. The narration then mentions verses from Al-Baqarah, An-Nisa, and Al-Ma'idah being recited to him. During one stage, people were told not to come near prayer while drunk. When the verse in Al-Ma'idah reached the words, “So, will you not then abstain?”, Umar answered, “We have abstained, we have abstained.” The main message is simple: when the command became clear, the right response was obedience. This Khamr Hadith also shows care for prayer, awareness of Allah’s command, and quick acceptance when guidance is made plain.
What we learn from this hadith
- Umar asked Allah for a clear ruling about Khamr.
- Prayer was not to be approached in a drunken state.
- When the final command was recited, Umar responded with immediate abstention.
- A believer should accept Allah’s command when it becomes clear.
