Prohibition of Alcohol – A Case Study

Interesting - in 1920, America constitutionally BANNED alcohol on a national scale - in a historical period called "The Prohibition".
As a result of a long fought campaign of some Organizations and Christian groups, who considered alcohol to be America's "National Curse" - the cause of crime, corruption, social problems, and health and hygiene issued across the country.

But this prohibition only lasted 13 years, with the country being in a state which many considered "worse than ever". What happened?

Prohibition resulted in a massive blow on national economy - thousands of jobs lost, entertainment sales and revenue lowered, tax revenue declined, and over $300 million++ expediture required to enforce prohibition.
Interestingly though, this 18th Constitutional Amendment, only banned the "manufacture, sale, distribution" of alcohol - but not the drinking.

So, desparate for alcohol, citizens started brewing their own alcohol at home - bootlegging. An unhealthy toxic process, this resulted in over 1,000 Americans dying every year because of tained liquor.
Due to the increasing 'desparate demand', crime rates greatly increased, paved the way for alcohol smuggling and black market, resulting in the rise of organized crime led by crime lords such as Al Capone.
The lucrative and profitable business eventually also led to rampant corruption amongst police force and government officials; court and prison systems were stretched to the breaking point.
Many drinkers eventually switched to opium, marijuana, cocaine, and other dangerous substances which were not as widespread prior to the Prohibition.

In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt ran for presidency with a promise to "End Prohibition" - naturally, he won. So in 1933, it was repealed, as the "National Curse" is once again released.

The "Prohibition" (1920 - 1933), dubbed the "noble experiment", was deemed as a massive failure in the books of history.

Now, contrast this to what happened during the prohibition of alcohol in Madinah.

Prior to the legislations, Arabs have always had a strong attachment to liquor. Since tribal pride was the most important trait of the period of Jahiyliyyah ("Ignorance" - the pre-islamic era), wine and liquor would be the primary 'showcase' of their generosity and tribal strength.

When the message of Islam first came, it didn't ban alcohol outright. In fact, it was done gradually, after the Hijrah to Madinah - 13 years after the First Revelation. And when it achieved ‘total prohibition’ in around 4th year hijrah, how did the Arabs react?
As dramatic as the Americans, perhaps?

Anas ibn Malik, the companion of the Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) narrated:
“I used to offer alcoholic drinks to the people at the residence of Abu Talha (i.e. my stepfather).
Then the order of prohibiting Alcoholic drinks was revealed:
“O you who believe! Khamr (intoxicants), gambling, and Al-Ansab, and Al-Azlam are an abomination of Shaytan’s handiwork. So avoid them (strictly all) that in order that you may be successful”  (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:90)

Then the Prophet ordered somebody to announce it.  Abu Talha said to me, "Go out and investigate what this voice (this announcement ) is."

I went out and (upon confirmation) 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.

Then they neither asked about it (alcoholic drinks) NOR RETURNED to it after the news from that man.”

(Narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.6, Hadith #141, #144)

The Prophet further clarified the ruling of Alcohol beverages as a whole – “Allah has cursed wine (and all alcoholic beverages and liquor) – the one who drinks it, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who purchases it, the one who produces it, the one for whom it is produced, the one who transports it, and the one to whom it is transported to.”
(Narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud, graded “sahih” by Al-Albani)

They never returned to it.
So let’s compare the two – what happened? What went wrong? What went right?

1. Acceptance.
When alcohol distribution/sale was banned in America, the people could not accept this new legislation – their hearts were too firmly attached to it and many were downright addicted to it, and none of them truly believed the harm or evil that they brought. Prohibition only pushed them to a corner to find illegal or desperate methods to fulfill their needs – crime, drugs, health issues rose on a national scale. 13 years and they couldn’t get it right.

In Madinah, when the legislation came from Allah to ban something which they love, they didn’t question anything – they knew that this was what the Creator deemed best for them. They weren’t biased to reject the ruling because of their desires, because of their ‘justifications’ or intellectual reasonings to bypass the ruling – “God knows best” was a life principle they truly lived by. Madinah never faced any issues of ‘black market’ gangsterisms or corrupt officials at all, nor did they face any health backlash from production of bootlegged alcohol – because the demand was completely severed altoghether. Society problem solved, in an instant.

Lessons learnt - it can’t be achieved if people haven’t attained the correct principles and faith, and recognizing the true value – the benefits and harms – of something. In fact, Aisyah, the wife of the Prophet narrated,
“If the first thing to be revealed was: 'Do not drink alcoholic drinks.' people would have said, 'We will never leave alcoholic drinks,'
Instead, the first verses revealed were verses explaning matters of faith. When the people (truly) embraced Islam (and had faith firmly established in their hearts) – then the verses of legal and illegal matters were revealed”
(Narrated in Al-Bukhari)

When developing society, prioritize the issues of faith and principles - jumping straight into issues of legal and illegal might do more harm than good. A little education goes a long way. Address the cause, not the symptoms.


2. LoopholesIslamic legislation made it very clear that everything associated with the consumption and production of alcohol – even if it’s a matter of transporting or serving it – was completely prohibited. There was no room for loopholes or trickery.

When America legislated the prohibition, however, it only banned the "manufacture, sale, and distribution" of alcohol – but no worries, by law, you can still drink it.
So - what on Earth was the point of banning the manufacture, sale and distribution in the first place?!
Allahu Akbar - 13 centuries after Islamic legislation and the most ‘sophisticated nation in the world’ weren’t able to put their foot down on a comprehensive ruling?

How serious are we when it comes to protecting our people? If we recognize something is truly dangerous or harmful to individuals and society, we should be firm and not introduce potential room for manipulation and eventually defeat the purpose of the legislation in the first place.

The same unfortunately can be said about cigarettes in our country – despite 20 years of “haram” fatwa and constant reminder on health hazards to society – the only progress we had are pictures on the box (which are ignored), and higher taxes (which ironically benefits national tax revenue more than it acts as a deterrant for purchasing it. Seems we are not that serious…?

And Allah Knows Best.

People Can't Be Guided Overnight

Sometimes we might feel frustrated or demotivated when we see our advice and/or da’wah does not bear any fruit; or when people continue to be stubborn or refuse to listen despite our earnest efforts. Especially when it comes to family members.

Some words of advice from Shaykh Uthaymin (rahimahullah):
“Know for sure, that people will not become guided overnight, except for those whom Allah exempts from this general principle. It is the way of Allah that matters come to their completion gradually.
The Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) remained in Makkah for 13 years, inviting the people to Islam, yet his da’wah still did not achieve complete success. The he went and lived in Al-Madinah, and in total, the Religion only became complete 23 years after the Prophet was sent.

Never delude yourself into thinking that people will change overnight. You must tread the path of da’wah with patience and imperturbable determination.

One who is harsh due to the zeal he has for the Religion might end up doing more harm than good. One must have wisdom, placing each matter in its due place, and giving importance to each matter according to its due weight.”
(“The Islamic Awakening”  - Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin)

As the Arabic proverb goes,” if you continue knocking, eventually the door will be opened”
... But if you stop knocking, you’ve knocked off your chances altogether!

Remember: your change didn’t happen overnight either.
“Every righteous person has a past, every sinner has a future”

Because once we give up, we go return into a continuous state of loss..

وَالْعَصْرِ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
“(I Swear) By the Time - 
Indeed, man is in a constant state of LOSS;
Except those who have iman, work righteous deeds,
And eagerly advise each other towards the TRUTH,
And eagerly advise each other towards patience.” (Qur’an surah Al-Asr)


فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
“.. So BE PATIENT. Surely, the (good) end is for the People of Taqwa (Muttaqun) – the ones with true righteousness and consciousness of Allah” (Qur’an surah Hud 11:49)