[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.

Alcohol is not a good provision as understood from the following verse.

[16:67] And from the fruits of date palms and grapes you produce intoxicants, as well as good provisions. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who understand.

The following verse explains why alcohol is not a good provision.

[2:219] They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, “In them, there is a gross sin and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit.” They also ask you what to give to charity: say, “The excess.” GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect,

The above verse states that there is a gross “sin” in alcohol. The following verse explains why there is a gross “sin” in consuming alcohol.

[5:91] The devil wants to provoke animosity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to distract you from remembering GOD, and from observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Will you then refrain?

The above verse states that the devil wants to distract us from observing the Contact Prayers with the help of alcohol. The following verse explains how alcohol distracts us from observing the contact prayers.

[4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.

The following verse explains to us why do we need to avoid consuming alcohol.

[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.

Please note that verses 5:90 and 5:91 above give us an understanding that the devil wants to use alcohol as a tool to misguide human beings. So, in the Quranic context consuming alcohol harms us when we commit sins. So, “sin” is the aftereffect of “harm”. In the translation of verse 2:219 above, the word “harm” might be more appropriate than the word “sin”, since, the meaning of “harm” is the opposite of “benefit”. The following translation of 2:219 by “Progressive Muslims” conveys this understanding.

“Progressive Muslims”
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say: “In them is great harm, and a benefit for mankind; but their harm is greater than their benefit.” And they ask you how much are they to give, say: “The excess.” It is thus that God clarifies for you the revelations that you may think.

The Quran uses very straightforward verses and the very strong word “prohibition” for certain foods but not for alcohol. The consumption of alcohol is discouraged and the reasons are given clearly by God and His messenger.

[2:173] He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[3:7] He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses – which constitute the essence of the scripture – as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create confusion and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, “We believe in this – all of it comes from our Lord.” Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.

[5:90] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.
[5:91] The devil wants to provoke animosity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to distract you from remembering GOD, and from observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Will you then refrain?