The Qur’an progressively prohibited alcohol in several stages. The first verse revealed on this matter states:
“And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines, you take intoxicants and good provision…” (An-Nahl 16:67). This verse subtly alludes to the harmful nature of intoxicants.
Next, a more direct verse was revealed:
“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit…'” (Al-Baqarah 2:219). This verse emphasizes the harm of alcohol.
Then, the following verse restricted drinking during prayer times:
“O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying…” (An-Nisa 4:43). After this verse, many companions stopped consuming alcohol.
Finally, the verse that completely forbade alcohol was revealed:
“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters, and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful…” (Al-Ma’idah 5:90-91).
With this verse, alcohol was definitively prohibited, and those who consume it are considered sinful, while those who believe it to be permissible are regarded as disbelievers.