What’s In A Bottle?

[ummtaalib]

What’s in a Bottle?

In the early days of Islam when wine and alcohol where first prohibited, Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam also prohibited drinking from those bottles and containers which were associated with alcoholic products. As is prevalent in today’s society, wine and liquor bottles have a certain design to them and one looking at the bottle immediately associates its contents with alcohol. Similarly, in the time of Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, certain vessels were associated with alcohol. Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam prohibited drinking from these vessels or using them for any purpose even if non-alcoholic.

As time passed by and wine became non-existent in the holy lands, the association these containers had with alcohol faded from public perception. Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam then allowed its use as its association with alcohol no longer remained.

Today this Ummah is facing a similar unfortunate situation. Juices are being marketed and branded as though they are alcoholic drinks and bottled in bottles that are directly associated with alcohol. The mere sight of these bottles which were once offensive to a Muslim is now to be found in the fridges of Muslim homes. “Islamic” magazines are advertising these products as though they are have been sanctioned by the Shariah.

In one Hadith, Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has stated, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day; let him never sit at a table where alcohol is served.” (Ahmad)

Hazrat Anas Radhiyallahu Anhu has reported that Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has cursed ten people in regards to alcohol: The one who produces it, the one who instructs its production, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to who receives it, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who benefits from its profit, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought. (Tirmizi)

If anything becomes abundantly clear from these Ahadith, it is that anything even remotely linked to alcohol is condemned in Islam. The Islamic system has been designed that the very sight of alcoholic products offends a believer’s heart. Introducing such drinks into our homes only serves to appease a conscience that craves to emulate the Kaafir system of wining and dining and to desensitize our children towards the distastefulness of alcohol.

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Council of Muslim Theologians

223 Alpine Road, Overport, Durban