Do you drink alcohol?
As some of you are already aware, we are collaborating with the German newspaper Zeit.de who send us bi-monthly questions about various topics. Today, this is the question they pose for us:
Drinking alcohol on the weekends when you go out or hang out with your friends is pretty normal for young people in Europe. Most young people think it’s fun getting drunk and some would’t even consider to go on a party and not drink. In Germany you’re allowed to buy alcohol when you turn 16, but most people start drinking it even earlier – approximately when they are 13 or 14 years old. Our question to you guys is, whether or not drinking alcohol is something you do. Have you ever been drunk? What was the situation and how did you feel about it? And if you don´t drink alcohol: For what reasons? Cultural or religious reasons? If you are a Muslim and you are not allowed to drink, do you stick to this rule and why? Or is there even a ban on alcohol in your country? So we would appreciate if you either tell us about your experience with alcohol, e.g. what was the first time you drank alcohol, did you like it and did your parents know? Or if you do not drink it would be very interesting for us to get to know the reasons.
Note: some of your answers will be translated into German and featured on their online news source. So please be clear!
Join the Conversation
I don’t drink. It’s not because of the image of it or anything, but it’s a physical thing. I’m allergic to it. As far as others who drink responsibly, I don’t mind. That’s the key, responsibly. Drunk drivers- no mercy. There’s nothing that can justify it.
When I was in high school was my first experience with alcohol. I took a stupid bet and downed a pint of Jack at my uncle’s house party. Bad move- I blacked out in 5 minutes. I was blowing my lunch while comatose, according to my friends, who were decent enough to watch over me and after I came to, I had the dry heaves for three days straight. Just the thought of it and the smell of it would make me hurl! Lol! I was stupid enough to try another drink a few months later, and my face got puffy, I couldn’t breathe through my nose and I had that jack-hammer pounding in my head, and that’s when I swore it off. I did smoke weed, though. Now, I just drink coffee.
Hmm.. alcohol?? Yep, I drink alcohol, I drink it with my friends, and with my family, I don’t remember when was my first experience with alcohol, I think I was under 8 years old, my parents, and my whole family have no problem with me drinking.
I do drink with my friends when we go out, and I do believe that party without alcohol is not as good!
As for getting drunk, I’ve never been so drunk that I couldn’t control myself or that I don’t remember anything the next day, no matter how much I drink, and believe me when I drink, I DRINK, I once threw up, because it was cold, that’s it.
I like drinking alcohol, because it’s fun, when you’re in a good mood, it amplifies it, I don’t like drinking when I’m sad, or depressed, because then, alcohol might hurt you, no matter how little you drink,and I have seen these kinds of things happen to people!!
Most my friends drink, both Muslim AND Christian, and others just hate the idea, also both Muslim and Christian.
BTW, “If you are a Muslim and you are not allowed to drink, do you stick to this rule and why?” alcohol is forbidden in Christianity, too! Most people might not know that, or might ignore it, but it’s true, Christianity does not allow alcohol!
I have too much respect for my religion (Islam) to drink alcohol. Do I get tempted? Yes of course, and when my friends drink alcohol it does not bother me. There are many young people in Qatar who drink it with friends, or when they go out to fancy restaurants. I know that my younger brothers drink alcohol very secretly, and if my parents found out they would probably be very angry with that!
I feel the same way. But other than religion, it’s also out of respect for my family. I have a good friend who was ousted drinking once, and her reputation has been tarnished ever since. Usually if a girl has a bad reputation her family is also blamed for the way they raised her, and I want to protect my family from that. I think that if it wasn’t for the way my family and social circle feel about alcohol then I would probably drink.
It’s the same way in Bahrain. Some (very few) approve of it, most don’t, so if young people do this it would have to be a secret or they can get into a lot of trouble.
But you are right when you talk about temptation. When I was a kid I would watch movies and try to imitate the actors by having apple juice, pretending it was champagne. I felt it made me “classy” and more formal. I even used to drink water with an olive and a toothpick in the glass, pretending it was a martini. But that is really as far as I ever went, and at 21 years old I take much pride in the fact that I never drank alcohol and I plan to keep this up.
I would have to say it sounds like Dubai has a lot more people, Muslim or not, that drink quite openly. It is a completely normal thing to go out on a Thursday night and get absolutely trashed. A weekend rarely consists of no drinking, however intensive.
I do drink – not as regularly as I used to, as I seem to have grown out of it a bit – and my parents are aware of that, as with most of my friends. However we do not flaunt it in their face, they accept that we are living in different times and a different place.
I think there is nothing wrong with drinking, responsibly. At the end of the day it is just another personal choice and preference.
I do not drink and I do not like to be around people who drink. It is a cultural and religious issue for me, perhaps also personal. I am not an extreme religious person however.
When I was studying in Jordan, I lost my faith and I began drinking excessively. It really depressed me, I did a lot of things that I am not proud of.
Now I’m back in Kuwait, and I got my life on track.
Listen to the people who advise others to drink responsibly. I did not listen, and I really regret it. I am just happy I got over the addiction, for a long time I didn’t think I will.
In Judaism, drinking is not only allowed; you bless any holiday and every Sabbath with wine. This doesn’t mean getting drunk, but it is a way of sanctifying the day.
There are two notable holidays where a bit more drinking is sanctioned: Passover, the commemoration of the Exodus, and Purim, a celebration of the story of Esther’s bravery. It is said that you should drink so much “you can’t tell the difference between Mordechai and Haman” (the good guy and the bad guy in the Book of Esther).
Does that make us a bunch of lushes? Absolutely not. Having wine around the house since I was young, I was puzzled by the illicit allure of alcohol or the binge-drinking some of my high school friends engaged in. It just seemed like another beverage choice and something special to be indulged in conservatively.
I don’t generally drink as a rule, although I will sometimes take a sip just to taste what it’s like. There was a time when I strictly avoided alcohol, to the point of absolutely loathing it, and that was because of Islam, which I stuck to very faithfully. I even hated it when other people drank, and even disapproved of my non-Muslim friends who did it!
These days I have a more relaxed attitude towards alcohol – especially since I’ve found out that the Qur’an doesn’t actually explicitly forbid it. However, I still have little to no desire to drink. My dislike of alcohol and drunkenness still remains, although now it’s more of a personal principle rather than religious. Also, I’ve tasted many different kinds of alcohol and I simply don’t like it!
I have a lot of friends, both Muslim and non-Muslim, who do happily drink. However, personally I don’t understand the appeal at all and I really don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything!
Hey Miriam. I dig your blog writing! Sorry to jack here… Ok… jack finished.
I personally don’t drink, but don’t mind if others do.
I bet you the ones in the Middle East that don’t drink are the same ones that inject heroin in their bodies.
How did you find out? I thought I did a good job hiding the needles!
I agree with you. I have no problem with people who drink, but a very big problem with drunk people. Especially if they are young kids who are not really drunk but think it’s hilarious posing as such… urgh, high school. So glad it’s over.
I’m a Muslim and I have a very ‘RAW’ opinion about this topic.One of the major reason for that would be my age…Im a young teenage and very confused about consuming alochol for future(maybe when i turn 17-18..or so).
Islam strictly forbids it…but then..some says that its not ‘that’ strict.For example,lets say you do drink(occasionally)and get drunk(one a month)…would that make you an addict of alcohol?No huh…so….still im so confused >.
An addict is one who becomes totally reliant on something, whether it is a physical and/or a psychological dependence, and feels that he or she cannot function normally without it. I think if you go here , you will get the medical-approved definition of addiction to alcohol.
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org was the link I was trying to insert. Damn computers!
Reminds me of a quote…
“It’s easy to quit drinking. I ‘ve done it a thousand times.”
- W C Fields
Actually, as far as I know, the Qur’an doesn’t specifically say that alcohol is forbidden. I could have simply been misled by inaccurate translations, but it only says that it’s better for us to avoid alcohol because there are more disadvantages than advantages. Nowhere does it say we’re not allowed to drink!
a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. In it there are for them all kinds of fruits; and Grace from their Lord. (Can those in such Bliss) be compared to such as shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels (to pieces)? Qur’an 47:15
and Also…
“O believers! Intoxicants, games of chance, (sacrificing at) stone altars and (dividing by) arrows are an abomination from Satan’s works; shun them so you may be successful.” (Al-Maidah 5:90)
These have been interpreted as some for the Islamic basis for no alcohol.
As a Baha’i we have very clear guidance not to drink alcohol or do any kind of drugs. Smoking is also very discouraged but not altogether forbidden like alcohol and drugs.
However, are there Baha’is that drink and do drugs? Well thats like asking are there people who smoke and do drugs.
Personally I can’t stand the smell of alcohol and tobacco. I have been to clubs and seen people drunk. It just looks sloppy to me. I like to be in control of what I am doing and what I am thinking all the time. Regrettably I have drank before but not without consequence. When I was 15 I drank so much at a Valentine’s party I had alcohol poisoning. I believe I also had a near death experience too. But thats another story.
As an American there is a huge culture of drinking and socializing with alcohol. They bring beer to work sometimes! Of course I always pass.
I don’t hold it against people who drink but lets just say if you start talking to me when you drunk, your words are worthless.
Drinking is a booster. Some people use it to enhance their mood or capitalize on their surroundings. No doubt it relaxes and opens you up. It also gives you a dramatic false sense of confidence that leads almost always to something unintended.
Anyway, just my thoughts. I hope I didn’t offend anyone.
Miriam: God knows how many Passover’s I have enjoyed with my friends
Because alcohol makes people react to it in unpredictable ways- become total smiles and laughing or total asshole and wanna fight everybody or totally allergic is IMHO where the stigma lies. One cannot tout the pros and joys of imbibing if their best friend becomes a total danger to themselves and to others while intoxicated.
I have been known to have the ‘occasional’ drink here and there! Not that it’s an excuse, but we have more pubs here in London, then we do traffic lights. Its a drinking culture, and having a few drinks after work does definitely take the edge off.. Not to mention the joys and horrors of beer goggles..!!
I am from Saudi Arabia and I am a happy drinker. My father is aware of this and he does not mind, because he drinks too. I drink moderately unless I am with some friends. I just do it for fun.
Ramadan is the only month I do not drink, so thank God it’s over! In terms of religion, well some of us can agree that it’s pretty outdated and if we see no harm in doing certain forbidden things then we should go ahead and do it. We only live once!
Beer goggles… try being the person who is the designated driver and at the same time the beer goggle smasher… It’s no fun! Lol!
What are beer goggles?
“Beer goggles” is the term used by drinkers who after imbibing will lower their standards and self-respect and pursue someone whom they would not normally pursue in order to have sex.
Your organisation “Mideast Youth” is destructive to our moral values, and by no means representative of the youth of this region, youth that are ideal in their behaviours and that are just good citizens who would never think of committing a sin , you’re campaigning to release someone who offended our holy religion, you’re advocating homosexuality, drinking alcohol…every sin our religion denounced ….
Also this German organisation that you’re allying with just seems suspicious to me, their intentions are to show that our ideal societies have the same immoralities as theirs.
I hop you fail, I hope you die , die and later die
I hope you fail
Wise words! You should be a rockstar.
You know, if you want to live in a blind, secretive, fearful, and censored society, go right ahead. But many of us are sick of living a lie, of caging our opinions, of watching human rights abuses go unnoticed and of imprisoning/torturing/killing anyone we disagree with.
I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about Mideast Youth; our network is at the very least providing a platform for the people our societies silence through fear, we are allowing many people to finally speak and let their feelings and opinions be known regardless of what they are. Why are people like you so threatened by that? We learn a lot through giving a voice to minorities, whether be it Baha’is or homosexuals or atheists or Kareem and whoever else you want to censor. We are happy and we are free. I have a feeling that’s more than what you can say, “dude”!
HeHe,
What a coincidence!!, I’m already my band is called ‘Dude of Arabia’ and our first album is titled ‘F**k Mideast Youth: I hope they die, die and later die, I hope they fail’
You all should buy it , when it comes out!!
Ah, I knew it wouldn’t be long before someone like “Dude of Arabia!” (more like Rude in Arabia?) comes to tell us “right” from “wrong.” Don’t preach to us about morality when you advocate for a society that oppresses gays, locks away those who dare to speak their minds like Kareem, oppresses ethnic and religious minorities, a society where sex trafficking and censorship is rampant. Don’t preach to us about morals and youth when you are saying things like “I hope you die,” if you deny that these things happen in our societies… then you obviously don’t know anything about youth in this region.
This place has dozens of people talking from their own experiences, from their own countries using their own minds, often risking their lives to do this. If you don’t like what you see, may I suggest you visit the much more appropriate Barney.com? It is nowhere near as offensive and real as this place! You will fit in perfectly.
I just bought it, and if you don’t mind, I already took the liberty to remix it:
*guitar break*
CHORUS X 3:
*record shuffle*
REPEAT CHORUS, GIRLS ONLY:
NOW, JUST THE GUYS:
THE MULLAHS:
EVERYBODY:
[END]
I really hope you enjoyed our remix, and we all can’t wait to hear your next album.
LOL.
No i don’t drink i think it is very disrespectful for our culture and religion, it’s also not fair for the people around us who have to deal with our irrationality if we drink too much. I dont know anyone who drinks specially not my friends i think its a very bad and risky habit.
“Dud” of Arabia- If Arabia implies Saudia, then why do their men come to our country in droves starting Wednesday night on the lookout for hookers, lady boys, khanif and alcohol all the while grilled out of their skulls on hashish? Why do these same men drive to Syria and imbibe in the sorrow of Iraqi refugee women who have resorted to prostitution in order to feed themselves and their children. They come out of their burrows to indulge in the things considered haram and think that Allah does not see them and then they quietly cross back into their country on the other side of the causeway on Saturday night, acting all pious and holier than the people they just a few hours ago happily slopped at the bar with. Mecca may be in Saudia, but you will be judged the same as we all will be judged.
People are just so hypocritical. We always hear about how we are sinners based on how we choose to live our lives, the people who call us sinners are usually the ones who commit the biggest sins. Consider this recent story:
Link to article
This is reality. I am not saying that these cases are common, I am saying they do happen. We have to open our eyes to this kind of hypocrisy.
Dude of Arabia is one of those fake wannabe mullahs.
Hey Faggot of Arabia, go stay in Fobistan.
Maybe it was the beer goggles comment that ticked Dude of Arabia off?! but more likely, Dude is a somewhat narrow minded individual who has little understanding of the world we live in.. and that remix was pretty damb good, could be on to a winner!
1st:
what Omid T said about “Quran 47:15″ is irrelevant. 5:90 and 5:91 are the proper references in Quran, and many things in the tradition of holy prophet.)
2nd:
Dude of Arabia Wrote:
regardless of other parts of his comments, this one seems true, and I think nobody here claims otherwise. authors of MEY are just few samples: Iranian Bloggers do not represent the youth of Iran, and the same probably applies to other mideast nations. statistically, the mean and standard deviation of this sample may be much different from the whole population.
3rd: (about the main topic)
when I was in dormitory, alcohol was widely available though officially forbidden. I remember some official statistics that “about 20% of the students have had an experience of alcohol” and “about 5% use it regularly”. I dont know about the current status, the number might have increased. another observation verified by some surveys in iran universities said that as the academic level of the university increases, alcohol & drug use significantly decreases.
in the society, regulare drinking is still supposed to be something bad. however, the younger the person, more likely he/she is to have an experience with alcohol.
personally I’ve had the chance to taste it but avoided. average time needed for an ordianry person to get some drink in our city (Isfahan) is less than an hour… enough for IRI I think!
Ya I found that first reference online with a Google search I read it and was like…hmmm…maybe.
So yes, Islam does provide guidance in the second verse I quoted…but apparently the first one…refers to something else.
Daniel, faggot is a hateful and bigoted term and it’s really uncool to use it to insult people.
Following up on the German question, where do people who drink in your respective countries? Do people go to bars or do they drink in private parties? How difficult is it to buy alcohol? And what about pot – how common is it?
Well it depends largely on the country. In the UAE alcohol is served to those aged over 21, in liscenced hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants. In Dubai, you are able to buy alcohol for personal use if you have a liscence, which is not given to Muslims. However in Ajman and a number of other Emirates, you are able to buy alcohol without a liscence but it is ‘officially’ illegal. Pot is extremely hard to find in the UAE, and is usually not worth the risk, as the punishement is extremely harsh.
In Egypt, drinking is more frowned upon than in the UAE and you will find it a little less accessable, although it is served in certain bars etc. There is also a company called ‘Drinkies’ that delivers it to your door! Pot in Egypt is quite easy to access, and is smoked by a surprisingly large number of people. There are numerous bars, restaurants, clubs that I visited where people smoked openly.
It’s also really uncool to be politically correct.
Pingback: Alkohol im Nahen Osten « Alcohol in Austria
Hmm…alchohol..I never wanted to admit this on this forum, for fear of being banned, but I’m in the trade of distributing alchohol. I was always a little uneasy about it, because, well, I didn’t want to get death threats for my sinful behaviour (I don’t wanna change jobs because I have LOTS of seniority and vacation time built up). I can tell you, though, alchohol is a pretty crappy thing. Every morning there are about a dozen addicts waiting for us to open the doors so they can get their morning wakeup. I have literally seen people slowly drink themselves to death over a period of a year. Sure, most folks who drink are average people, no real problems, but I would say a good 20% of my clientale (and my current store is in a pretty decent neighbourhood) are having serious problems with it, and will end up dying from it. The only thing I don’t like about my job is that I don’t have the authority to ban this 20% from the store. O yeah, and here’s a simple rule for you young people: DON’T GUZZLE HARD ALCHOHOL! One of the fastest ways to die or get brain damage is to suck down a bottle of this stuff. It doesn’t matter what shape you are in.
Drinking is absolutely forbidden in islam, no doubt about it, i find it funny people try to drink in private so parents etc don’t find out, but Allah is watching over them, who are they scared more off, parents or Allah?
okay well i think all of yu that are starting this needless drama over alcohol is stupid. seriously. alcohol is just something teens get into when they are young. they just get peer pressured into it and then they like the feeling of being intoxicated so they start drinking more and more. at least that`s how it was fer me. i live in illinois and i have gotten in arrested once fer alchol, and gotten a drinking ticket at 15 but didn`t get arrested. i`m 17 now and i honestly love drinking. mi dad was an alcoholic and i thought i would never do it. but then i started talking to a different crowd than i was used to, and then i started to chill with a lot of people. and seriosuly, me and mi friends just love having good times ! if yu all wernt such straight edges yu would know how it is. im not saying its bad NOT to drink, but yu have no right to critize it! if people want to drink, then let them ! if they get in trouble, it`s their fault fer drinking now isn`t it? yeah. so why don`t yu all just stop accusing people that its bad and stuff and just live a little and go get a case of MGD or a bottle if hipnotic or something. that will get the stick out of yur asses =)
oh and if it`s against yur religion, then why are yu on this website talking about it? if yu don`t like it, then don`t fucking talk about it. wow. haha. yu people crack me up !!
That explains your comments.
This thread is in response to a German e-Zine which wanted our perspective on drinking amongst youth.
No one shoved a gun in your mouth and begged you to read the responses. Here you will meet people with different opinions, and whichever one you disagree with you can address it respectfully with an actual refutation as opposed to demonstrating your opinion with an angsty attitude.
leik, oh ma gawd! totally! leik totally right! why didnt we think of that!!! wow!!! omg!!! ur so right, jst totally.
Eric, somehow I missed this:
Seriously? Are you saying this with a straight face? If you’re not being sarcastic, then congratulations on being the most paranoid person I have ever come across on this website.
“congratulations on being the most paranoid person I have ever come across on this website.” Hmmm…. Maybe we should ask what sort of neighborhood the store is in, first.
Wait a second, my last post doesn’t make any sense. Even if dealing in forbidden items is dangerous where you are in the “real world,” confessing to it here should be safe enough.
Iranians drink, who said they don’t drink, yes they do, the best wine is prepared by our Jewish community, but that is sacred, suppose, for Pesach( Passover) they prepare it and leave it in a corner and no one touches the container untill the right time approaches. Our Amrmanians as well have a good taste for wine. Nowadays in Iran, only our Jewish community and our Armanians ( or perhaps Zarostrians as well ? I am not sure) have the authority to make, drink , carry it in their cars and consume in general. The rest of the Iranians will be lashed if they go around the barrel. Despite the fact, wine is as popular as it had always been through out the history , as we can find out more , reading the beautiful verses of the ancient poets :
Omar Khayyam :
They say Ramadan ( month of fasting) has appeared,
From now on, no one can have a sip,
So, I will drink as much at the end of the month of SHaa’ban ( the month before),
as I drop down all drunk , all through the fasting month, until the eve ( when the fasting period ends),
Another Poet called Sa’eb Tabrizi writes :
O you hermit, come and join me in cleaning the grapes for making wine,
For how long you want to go on counting the beads of your beads, chanting ?
Allah ta’ala has stated (that which means):
O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, AlAnsâb, and AlAzlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitân’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. (Al-Ma’idah 5:90)
May we pay heed to such admonitions. Ameen.
Someone made a potent statement in the comments, that is, so many try to hide from their parents as they indulge in drinking with their friends, thinking they are doing so in secret, when indeed Allah ta’ala can see them – and afterall, to whom is more fear warranted, your parents or Allaah ‘azza wa jall?
I advise us all, myself first and foremost, to leave off this ma’asiyah – that which we perceive to be an enjoyment in this life, but that which will only grant us sorrow in the Hereafter.
Wa Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
I am Moroccan background and Mulsim i live in Australia, but i do not drink. Our creator has told us that we should not drink, and who are we to try to argue against his law and will?
i will admit i used to drink but i realized this has only ever led to problems in life anyway. brothers think of the money you can give to the poor that you save on buying alcohol.
BitAmina,
It is wonderful to advise, in a free society where people decide how to live their personal lives. But in a closed circuit society where any thing non religious is forbidden, behavior like drinking becomes the forbidden apple and one strives to drink , or even drink eccessively.
It is those who stay away from the “forbidden apple[s]” that are of the successful, those who do not let their hawaa (lowly desires) act as their guide, and remain steadfast upon the deen.
Would you rather have your Jannah here on Earth or in the akhirah? THank about it, for the choice lies upon us all.
Wa Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
*Think*
Hi Amina
Depends on how people decide they want to lead their lives, in a religious manner, or no simply in a way that they follow their own ( self-defined way), but try not to cross the barriers that might violate other people’s rights.
The forbidden apple….
Wasn’t the whole story a reflection of how man in general learnt from his decisions and G-d helped him in the process. The ultimate goal in people’s life differ, some would do any thing to reside in Jannah, and some would consider life as a Jannah, the mere fact that we are gifted with the gift of living and with each breath that we take Jannah is what we are experiencing.
About having a bite every now and then of the forbidden apple,
At least people like me should remember if they have a bite from the apple , that shouldnt and wouldn’t mean challenging our creator, as Adam didn’t mean that as well.
Assalam Alaeikum Amina
take care
Wa Alaikum ASsalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
I guess it depends how one would interpret challenge.
For of course it does not challenge Allah ta’ala in that he is Al Ghani (All-Rich, Self-Sufficient) and thus He is not in need of our worship. Indeed if we were to worship him more, this would not increase him in His Might, or Power; nor if we chose to turn away from the deen completely and cease to worship Him, surely this would not diminish Allah ta’ala in any way – for again He is not in need of our worship. So our actions do not challenge Allah ta’ala in that sense.
However, if one chooses to turn away from the deen this does, in effect, challenge the laws Allah ta’ala has set forth for mankind. The Quran and Sunnah together provide the blueprint for success, walhamdulillah, but if one instead seeks to indulge in the many forbidden fruits, so to speak, that present themselves in this worldly life then they may challenge the mandates that Allah has laid out, by seeking to transgress bounds.
Thus, taking a bite[s] from the apple does not challenge Allah, for He is All-Rich and Self-Sufficient – however, it does challenge the laws He has set forth, by straying away from them and choosing a [lesser] path, rather than Siraat ul Mustaqeem.
This is advice & a reminder for myself, before anyone else, inshaaAllah.
Wa Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
Bint Amina,
Adam had a bite, differnt religions provide different ways he can cure his tummy ache 
Here I thank you for sharing with us your religious views which are nice and one could think about them.
About challenging the creator, I mean the intention of doing some thing to make him angry, make him forsake us.
I think of him as detached from any specific religion, as he belongs to all of us, even if we think we don’t belong to one another as we have differnt sets of rules governing our intellect.
I find religions as tasty trays of food all set on a table for a feast where all the children of Adam are invited and we choose what to eat in that feast. Here the host is our creator and he is praised when any of those edibles are tasted or devoured. So the dish you have chosen is your choice and it is nice the way you love what you eat, it will make the host happy
On the surface we might eat out of differnt dishes, but the ingredients are more or less the same, and they all provide us with the basic elements of nourishment. The main objective is common, to eat!
The forbidden apple was not on the menu
In a bumpy road, my Sirat- al mustaqim winds up as to remain Mustaqim
Amina, freedom of choice is the fundamental issue in the beliefs, my religion consists of :
Believing in G-d’s unity, respecting and praising G-d, respecting human life, respecting famly, respecting all creaturs,persuit of justice.
See, it is not much differnt from what you say, even if in particulars we each adopt differnt approaches, so do you think we will meat in a good spot in Sirat- al mustaqim? We will be neighbors in jannah,perhaps ?
Sorry Miriam, but you have, as have so many others, fallen victim to a grave misinterpretation in Judaism – Purim, which will be here this Thursday, is not about getting drunk – it is about celebration – how sad that so many people associate celebration with drinking! – in the Purim story, it was drinking that led to the terrible treatment of Vashti – alcohol can cause drinkers to lose control of themselves – that is so contrary to Jewish values – even on regular celebration when many Jews do drink wine, there is no such requirement – the requirement is to consume “fruit of the vine” – one could just as easily eat a grape – I do not drink alcohol at all – Judaism does permit the responsible drinking of alcohol, but it DOES NOT REQUIRE IT – regardless, I do not drink alcohol at all, not because of what Judaism says, but because I do not want to put something into my body that may cause me to lose some of my control of myself – if one needs alcohol to celebrate, then s/he has some serious problems to address – I don’t need alcohol to celebrate – I can more genuinely and more deeply celebrate by doing so responsibly and by being in control – these are true Jewish values!
Avi,
Have a great Purim. If a religion, a society, allows consumption of alcohol, then it is not bad, any thing in proportion would be perfect, but man tends to extremes, well some abandon the traditions altogether. Consumption of alcohol is a personal matter and it is not much related to the religion one practices. As I have observed I mean
my name syed jahandar hasan and idirnk alchol many times i like to drink i am muslim but i m not muslim because drink alchol regularly or occasinally against the rules of islam i love to drink with my friends teenager are mostly drinking i see many mulvees are drinking 2
i’m a muslim but i drink..is that bad?
Alcohol – of course- is a most detestable thing, forbidden to the Muslimeen. We are commanded to stay away from this, it cannot touch our lips, we shouldn’t be near it – sell it or consume it.
Yet it seems many ignore this commandment – in favor of ‘fun’. By Allah, this is only temporary fun, for how you will wish on the Day of Judgement that you didn’t engage in this ‘fun’.
‘Is it bad?’ Any sin is bad. This sin is not a minor one subhaanAllah … may Allah ta’ala protect us all from faahishah. Ameen.
And as for revelaing our sins, we should instead keep them private, for our beloved Prophet salAllahu alayhi wa salam has stated:
“My entire nation is safe, except al-Mujahirin (those who boast of their sins). Among the Mujaharah is that a man commits an (evil) act, and wakes up in the morning while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret, he says: “O so-and-so! Last night I did this and that.” He goes to sleep while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret but he wakes up in the morning and uncovers what Allah has kept a secret!” [Saheeh al-Bukhari]
Save yourself the grief on the Day of Judgement, draw closer to Allah ta’ala, and don’t be fooled by the ‘play and amusement of the dunya.
Wa Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
Wow this thread keeps ticking.
Bint Amina, while I appreciate your sincerity and I agree ver batim with you, I think it would be helpful to translate the arabic to help our non-arabic speaking readers understand where you’re coming from…
for example…
subhaanAllah—Praise Be To God
Allah ta’ala—God the Most High (i think)
etc…
Some people, ignorant as they may be, may be taken aback at language they dont understand.
Amina,
Which one is worse in the eyes of religion, alcohol or backviting? Which one is more a sin? By backbiting, one is consuming the flesh of his dead brother right? So how come people refrain from alcohol and go on with consuming the flesh of their dead brother on and on? and no one is hurt or intimidated?
“Our question to you guys is, whether or not drinking alcohol is something you do.”:
no it’s not nothing something that i do so naturally i can’t have been drunk once, I remember i took a sip of beer once when i was a kid, and i remember it was gross, now i would not.
“And if you don´t drink alcohol: For what reasons? Cultural or religious reasons?”
for religious reasons, culture is really something I hate adhering to (for logical motives and for believing in my capability of forming my own mentality without possibly stupid restraints)
” If you are a Muslim and you are not allowed to drink, do you stick to this rule and why?”
Because, Islam explicitly prohibits alcohol (despite existent different interpretations)and for rationalised reasons, some of which the participants here already mentioned, besides, i don’t want my organs or brain damaged.
“Or is there even a ban on alcohol in your country?”
there’s no ban in my country, I live in israel and normally israelis drink, it is consumed on campus sometimes, as to the arab population (muslims and christians) of course the pattern is similar to any other arab country’s pattern, some choose to drink and others choose not to.
i dont drink!! it’s agasint my religion ( LDS otherwise known as mormon) we’re also lernign at school how it’s bad and stuff!
Slm all im Muslim an find it so irratating that our culture forbids alchol it is not forbidden in the Quran! an we live in a wester n society! you live once, i believe there is time for everything ,prayer,fun ect why do we follow others? you are your own person be who you are not who the society wants! like walking without a scarf pass muslim ladies is like stabbing someone! but those who are covered can be the bad ones an the one without the scarf can be pious! but to the community the covered one is th right one! KANALA …..
A clarification – for those unaware, it is forbdden in the Qur’aan:
“They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: ‘In them is a great sin, and (some) benefits for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit’” (al-Baqarah 2:219)
O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, AlAnsâb, and AlAzlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitân’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. (Al-Ma’idah 5:90)
May Allah ta’ala make us of the successful. Ameen.
True – you live once, but you also die as well, and after death you shall be returned to the One who created you, to answer for your all your deeds.
Bint Amina,
Thank you for those quotes.
I love this page that I found. I am from America and had a lot of the same questions and concerns. Really a great blog ! keep it up:)
I am a Baha’i and it is against our religion to drink.
The one thing I am frightened of doing is lapsing into drinking just out of sheer curiousity of what it tastes like. I am so curious, especially after consuming ‘mocktails’ and wondering if the alcoholic versions are better. I could live my whole life without having a single drop of alcohol.
I’m just really curious and it bugs me to no end.
Is anyone a Baha’i on here that drinks? I am aware it is strictly forbidden and I have read the quotes so please don’t chuck those at me. Calling to Baha’is that have had experience with alcohol.
to me i would say the point it to avoid and keep us from doing things that will lead you down the wrong path. I mean having a glass of red wine has been proven to be good for the heart because of certain antioxidants that it carries and one glass of red wine doesn’t cause people to get drunk or do crazy things. but drinking more than a glass every now and then can cause problems like cirrhosis of the liver,alcohol and even cancer and Allah knows this. I can’t speak for everyone since everyone is different and I know I don’t really enjoy alcohol like maybe some other people but I say the point is to make people think and be wise about there decisions in life so as for me I will probably never drink to party, for fun or to get drunk and lose myself but i could have a glass of red wine every now and then or even half a glass and still be appropriate. In the end Allah is the judge and I feel as long as one drinks in moderation (don’t go overboard) they will be fine. People do worse things.
Also to answer the questions. I am Muslim my parents know. I haven’t been drunk. My first time drinking was with my cousin and her friends they got drunk I believe but nothing really bad happened they were just clearly out of their senses I really didn’t like the taste or smell so I had a sip and then replaced it with some juice. Since my cousin vomited the next morning and everyone had a headache i don’t believe getting drunk is worth it or really all that fun. It won’t be fun when your liver fails later in life either. My country doesn’t ban alcohol but my my religion advices me to stay way from such things as alcohol and drugs. As per my previous comment I do not stick to the rule because I said I have a glass every now and then to get more in depth I will have a glass during a special occasion for my friend or maybe in my house time-wise this might be once a month or once in a couple of months. So i don’t drink often.