51/24. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5604 — Mead, Barley Beer, and Haram Intoxicants
Explanation of Al-Bit' (Mead) and Al-Mizr (Beer)
Hadith About Mead and Barley Beer: Every Intoxicant Is Unlawful
Sunan an-Nasai : 5604
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5604
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ آدَمَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ فُضَيْلٍ، عَنِ الشَّيْبَانِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى الْيَمَنِ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ بِهَا أَشْرِبَةً يُقَالُ لَهَا الْبِتْعُ وَالْمِزْرُ قَالَ " وَمَا الْبِتْعُ وَالْمِزْرُ " . قُلْتُ شَرَابٌ يَكُونُ مِنَ الْعَسَلِ وَالْمِزْرُ يَكُونُ مِنَ الشَّعِيرِ . قَالَ " كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ " .
Abu Burda Narrated from:
It was narrated from Abu Burdah that his father said: "The Messenger of Allah [SAW] sent me to Yemen and I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, there are drinks there which they call Al-Bit' (mead) and Al-Mizr (beer).' He said: 'What is mead (and beer)?' I said: 'A drink made from honey, and beer is made from barley.' He said: 'Every intoxicant is unlawful.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5604In-book reference : Book 51, Hadith 66English translation : Vol. 6, Book 51, Hadith 5607
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5604
This narration also speaks about drinks known as Al-Bit and Al-Mizr. Abu Musa explains that one is made from honey and the other from barley. The Prophet’s answer is not limited to one recipe. He says that every intoxicant is unlawful. This makes the Hadith easy for readers looking up Islamic guidance on mead, barley beer, or intoxicating drinks. The key point is the effect of the drink. If it intoxicates, the ruling in the Hadith is clear. The text also shows that people may have different names for drinks in different lands, but the Islamic standard given here stays simple and direct.
What we learn from this hadith
- Different ingredients do not change the rule when the drink intoxicates.
- The Prophet answered a practical question with a general standard.
- Mead and barley drinks are discussed through the lens of intoxication.
- Local drink names should not hide the real effect of the drink.
