51/25. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5607 — Small Amounts of Intoxicants Are Haram
Prohibition of Every Drink that Intoxicates in Large Amounts
Small Amount of Intoxicant Hadith: What Intoxicates in Large Amounts
Sunan an-Nasai : 5607
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5607
أَخْبَرَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ سَعِيدٍ - عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَا أَسْكَرَ كَثِيرُهُ فَقَلِيلُهُ حَرَامٌ " .
'Amr bin Shu'aib Narrated from:
The Prophet [SAW] said: "What intoxicates in large amounts, a small amount of it is unlawful."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5607In-book reference : Book 51, Hadith 69English translation : Vol. 6, Book 51, Hadith 5610
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5607
This Hadith gives a clear rule about small amounts of intoxicants. The Prophet says that whatever intoxicates in large amounts, a small amount of it is unlawful. The teaching closes a common excuse: saying that only a little is being used. The text does not ask whether the small amount causes intoxication by itself. It connects the ruling to the nature of the thing in larger amounts. That is why people often search for this as the small amount of intoxicant hadith. The meaning is simple and direct. If the substance is known to intoxicate when taken in much quantity, the Hadith says that its little amount is also unlawful.
What we learn from this hadith
- A small amount is not treated as safe when the larger amount intoxicates.
- The Hadith blocks excuses based on taking only a little.
- The ruling follows the intoxicating nature of the substance.
- A believer should avoid the start of what leads to intoxication.
