Neither Shaken nor Stirred: The Qur’aan and Science on Alcohol Consumption
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ,
Though it is evident that wine has a few medical benefits, scientific researches have proved that the harms of wine and alcohol in general exceed by far their benefits, both on the individual and social levels, even among moderate drinkers. And surprisingly this is how Quran addresses Wine:
“They question thee about alcohol (wine) and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and some utility (benefits) for men; but the sin(harms) of them is greater than their usefulness.” – Qur’aan : Surat al-Baqarah (2) : 219.
Thus alcohol in Islam is forbidden (haram).
Science confirms this Qur’aannic fact:
WEDNESDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) — While it might help your heart, drinking even moderately could shrink your brain, U.S. researchers say.
Alcohol is more harmful than heroin or crack when the overall dangers to the individual and society are considered, according to a study in the Lancet.
Moderate drinking shrinks the brain: researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and other institutions found a link between low to moderate alcohol consumption and a decrease in the brain size of middle-aged adults.
‘Moderate’ drinking is harmful to younger people, says study.
Alcohol Linked to Cancer Risk in Women: Study Shows Even Low-to-Moderate Drinking Raises Risk of Cancer.
Feb. 24, 2009 — Women who drink as little as one alcoholic beverage a day — be it beer, wine, or hard liquor — have an increased cancer risk, a study shows. Based on their findings, the researchers estimated that alcohol could be to blame for 13% of these cancers in women.
The largest ever study published in 2009 reveals that as little as a glass of wine a day may be too risky for women.
Alcohol increases breast cancer risk.
Alcohol effects on Fetal Development: Fetal alcohol exposure is a leading cause of birth defects and developmental disorders. Recent estimates of the number of US children affected by fetal alcohol exposure range from 1 per 2,000 live births to 1 per 100 live births.”
Alcohol is the worst attack on society: Alcoholic drinks are much more dangerous than drugs. According to a home survey on Alcohol and Drugs from the National Plan on Drugs, alcohol is the substance that is consumed most by a population between the ages of 15 and 64, with a consumption prevalence of 78.7 per cent.
Alcohol and drug abuse also poses a public health risk. The abuse of these substances causes a variety of cancers, diseases, and other health problems. Each year, society pays $16 billion in healthcare costs due to drugs and alcohol.
This article authored by Brother Muhyiddine of Dubai.
wa Allaahu Alam.
[and God knows best.]