All Drinks that Intoxicate

“Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was asked about Al-Bit. He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘All drinks that intoxicate are unlawful (to drink).’” [Sahih Bukhari]

In the time of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) various alcoholic beverages used to be made. Some were made from dates, others from grapes, honey, raisins, wheat, or barley. They were made in different types of containers: the empty skin of gourds, bowls coated with pitch, pieces of date-palm trunk hollowed out in the shape of bowls, etc.

Through this hadith the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) has made the criteria clear: If the drink intoxicates, it is unlawful. What it is made from, what type of container is used, or what process is utilized is irrelevant: What needs to be known is if the drink intoxicates or not. If it intoxicates when used in a large quantity then even a drop of it is unlawful to consume.