Khamr, ethyl and all that jazz

Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is not to list out each and every consumable item that is and is not permissible. Rather the purpose is to provide one with sufficient knowledge to make an educated decision in regards to consumption of certain foods or drinks in light of the commands in the Qur'an and the teachings in the Sunnah. The rulings based on some of the madhabs has been included for reference only.

What is Alcohol?

Alcohol is produced through alcoholic fermentation of material containing sugar or starch. Starch first has to breakdown into sugar and sugar is then fermented by yeast which converts it into ethyl alcohol or ethanol and carbon dioxide (CO2). Molasses from sugar cane, beet sugar, wood sugar (sulphite lye), fruits, and berries are the raw material used to produce alcohol. Starchy products such as cereal, rice, corn and potato are also used as a raw material to produce alcohol. Alcohol obtained from fermentation is subject to separation, concentration and distillation. The chemical name of alcohol is ethanol and C2H5OH is the chemical formula.

Alcohol is now used as an individual ingredient in a food product. It is also used as solvent in natural and artificial flavors. It is also used as extracting solvent in vanilla products such as vanilla extract (about 35%), vanilla sugar (sugar mixed with vanilla extract). It is also present in naturally brewed soy sauce up to 2% as a by-product of fermentation of soybean and wheat.

The alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Ethanol or alcohol has the quality of making a person drunk. Ethanol has widespread use as a solvent of substances intended for human contact or consumption, including scents, flavorings, colorings, and medicines.

You will not find pure alcohol in most drinks; drinking pure alcohol can be deadly because it only takes a few ounces of pure alcohol to quickly raise the blood alcohol level into the danger zone. For various types of beverages, the ethanol concentration (by volume) is as follows:

    Beer = 4 to 6 percent (average of about 4.5 percent)
    Wine = 7 to 15 percent (average of about 11 percent)
    Champagne = 8 to 14 percent (average of about 12 percent)
    Distilled spirits (e.g. rum, gin, vodka, whiskey) = 40 to 95 percent.

Alcohol is also obtained other than fermentation process called synthetic alcohol. Synthetic alcohol produced from ethylene gas or petroleum source is not different scientifically from alcohol obtained from fermentation method. It has the same chemical formula C2H5OH and has the same quality of providing a sequential depressant action on the central nervous system.

The process of fermentation existed in the earlier times as well as noted in Sahih Muslim Book 023, Hadith Number 4961.

 
The Gradual Prohibition of Khamr (Intoxicant)

Ibn `Umar, Ash-Sha`bi, Mujahid, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and `Abdur-Rahman bin Aslam stated that the first Ayah revealed about Khamr was:
(They ask you about Khamr and gambling. Say: "In them there is great sin...') (2:219)

This Ayah was the beginning of the process of prohibiting Khamr, not explicitly, but it only implied this meaning.

Then, this Ayah that is in Surat An-Nisa' was revealed:

(O you who believe! Approach not As-Salah (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state.) (4:43)

Soon after, Allah sent down a clear prohibition of Khamr in Surat Al-Ma'idah:

(O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansab, and Al-Azlam are an abomination of Shaytan's handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As-Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain) (5:90-91)

Ref. ABu Dawud, Book 20, No. 3662


In light of Hadith

Ibn 'Umar, through another chain of transmitters; reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said this: Every intoxicant is Khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden.
Sahih Muslim Book 023, Hadith Number 4964

It was narrated from 'Abdulla bin Umar that the Messenger of Allah said: Every intoxicant is unlawful and whatever causes intoxication in large amounts, a small amount of it is (also) unlawful.
Sunan Ibn Majah, Volume 4, No. 3392

Narated By Jabir ibn Abdullah : The Prophet (pbuh) said: If a large amount of anything causes intoxication, a small amount of it is prohibited.
Abu Dawud Book 020, Hadith Number 3673

Reminder: And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. (57:7)

It is recorded in the Two Sahihs, that `Umar bin Al-Khattab said in a speech; while standing on the Minbar of the Messenger of Allah (in the Prophet's Masjid in Al-Madinah) "O people! The prohibition of Khamr was revealed; and Khamr was extracted from five things: From grapes, dates, honey, wheat and barley. Khamr is what intoxicates the mind.'' Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Umar said, "The prohibition of Khamr was revealed when there were five kinds of intoxicants in Al-Madinah, besides what was produced from grapes.''

 
In light of Madhab:

According to the principles of Hanafi Madhab, the prohibition of Khamr is restricted to the alcohol derived from grapes [and dates]. Those alcohols derived from non date and grape sources are permissible for consumption provided that:

    It is not used for intoxication.
    It is not used in vain for futility.
    It is not used to such a level which intoxicates.

The alcohol (ethanol) used in most of commercial products in our times is not derived from dates and grapes. Hence consumption of such non-khamr alcohol is permissible when used within the bounds of above conditions.

With the above guidelines in mind, Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol) is the base intoxicating chemical. It can be derived either through fermentation of grapes, dates or other glucose rich sources. It can even be made synthetically. The ruling of ethyl alcohol will depend on its source. If it is derived from grapes or dates, then its consumption will be strictly haram (prohibited). While, if it is derived from non grapes or non date source, then it’s consumption will be permissible as long as the conditions are met.

According to Imam Shafi R.A and Imam Malik R.A, the understanding is that that any liquid intoxicant made from any thing is Haram.

Conclusion:

Nu'man b. Bashir (Allah be pleased with him) reported:  I heard Allah's Messenger as having said this (and Nu'man) pointed towards his ears with his fingers): What is lawful is evident and what is unlawful is evident, and in between them are the things doubtful which many people do not know. So he who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and honors blameless, and he who indulges in doubtful things indulges in fact in unlawful things ...
Sahih Muslim Book 010, Hadith Number 3882