kenneth harrow
professor emeritus
dept of english
michigan state university
517 803-8839
harrow@msu.edu
Sent: Sunday, May 3, 2020 4:50 AM
To: dialogue <USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com>; Yoruba Affairs <yorubaaffairs@googlegroups.com>
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Ramadan: Islam and Alcohol. Chanting in the Sudan
Sudanese Chanting Group - Multicultural Mawlid Concert 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erSLskTxAtY
There is no legal ban on alcohol in most parts of the world, including even in the Arab world. In Islam, alcohol is considered sinful, haram. I have had alcohol in Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate! I used to tease the late Professor Ali Mazrui over a bottle of wine. I have committed a haram, and I seek forgiveness.
Islam is not peculiar in seeing alcohol as sinful---so too many sects in Christianity, Pentecostalism, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, etc.
Compare the verses in the Bible:
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." [Proverbs 20:1]
"And be not drunk with wine." [Ephesians 5:18]
With that in the Quran:
"O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, (Dedication of) stones, And (divination by) arrows, Are an Abomination – Of Satan's handiwork; Eschew such (abomination), That ye may prosper." [Al-Qur'an 5:90]
Islam regards itself as a natural religion, Deen-ul-Fitrah, and the prohibition of alcohol is to preserve that natural state.
Castigating only Islam for intolerance to alcohol is a lack of knowledge, your alternative belief system that does not respect others. And you can drink in the Sudan or Cairo and no one comes after you—just obey the regulations in place. Non-believers can visit anywhere in Africa and drink. Muslims are not after you, as ignorant people tend to say.
If you fast and drink, even a teaspoon of Brandy, you have wasted the day, squandered the benefits, and incurred additional punishment.
May your resolution to be holy and faithful be preserved. Insha'allah, Allah subhana wa ta'allah.
Enjoy this chanting from the Sudan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erSLskTxAtY
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