Question:

What is meant by the drunkenness in the 43rd verse of the 4th chapter “An-Nisa’” in which it is forbidden to pray?

Response:

Zurarah reported that Imam Al-Baqir (a. ) said: “Do not approach prayer with laziness nor with the appearance of sleepiness, nor with sluggishness, for that is a share in hypocrisy and God forbade the believers to approach prayer while drunk, by which is meant the drunkenness of sleep and He says about the hypocrites: “And when they stand for prayer, they stand up carelessly, desiring to be seen by men and they remember God but little.” (4:142) [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 3 page 299 Hadith 1]

علي بن إبراهيم، عن أبيه، ومحمد بن إسماعيل، عن الفضل بن شاذان جميعا، عن حماد بن عيسى، عن حريز، عن زرارة قال: قال أبو جعفر عليه السلام: ولا تقم إلى الصلاة متكاسلا ولا متناعسا ولا متثاقلا فإنها من خلال النفاق فإن الله سبحانه نهى المؤمنين أن يقوموا إلى الصلاة وهم سكارى يعنى سكر النوم وقال للمنافقين: وإذا قاموا إلى الصلاة قاموا كسالى يراؤن الناس ولا يذكرون الله إلا قليلا

Al-Halabi reported that he asked Imam As-Sadiq (a.) about the verse: “O you, who believe, do not approach prayer, while you are drunk until you know what you are saying!” (4:43) He said: “Do not approach prayer, while you are in the drunkenness of sleep. He says: “Woe to you, that fatigue keeps you away, from knowing, what you say during your bowings and prostrations and praises of My greatness!” It is not as many of the people claim, that the believers are drunk on alcoholic beverages. Neither does the believer take drinks leading to drunkenness nor does he get drunk.” [Tafsir Al-Ayyashi, Volume 1 page 242 Hadith 137]

عن الحلبي قال: سألته (الصادق) عليه الصلاة والسلام عن قول الله: يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى حتى تعلموا ما تقولون قال: لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى يعنى سكر النوم، يقول وبكم نعاس يمنعكم ان تعلموا ما تقولون في ركوعكم و سجودكم وتكبيركم، وليس كما يصف كثير من الناس يزعمون أن المؤمنين يسكرون من الشراب، والمؤمن لا يشرب مسكرا ولا يسكر

Al-Halabi reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “By this is meant the drunkenness of sleep.” [Tafsir Al-Ayyashi, Volume 1 page 242 Hadith 136]

عن الحلبي عن الصادق عليه السلام قال: يعنى السكر النوم

Muhammad ibn Al-Fadl reported that he asked Imam Al-Kazim (a.) about the verse: “O you who believe, do not come to prayer while you are drunk until you know what you are saying!” (4:43) He said: “That is before the revelation of the prohibition of the drinks leading to drunkenness.” [Tafsir Al-Ayyashi, Volume 1 page 242 Hadith 135]

عن محمد بن الفضل عن أبي الحسن عليه السلام في قول الله: لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى حتى تعلموا ما تقولون قال: هذا قبل ان يحرم الخمر

Fald Ibn Hasan reported that Imam Al-Kazim (a.) said: “This refers to the drunkenness of drinking. Then it was abrogated with the verse about the prohibition of drinks leading to drunkenness.” [Majma’-ul-Bayan by Abu Ali At-Tabarsi, Volume 3 page 92]

عن فضل بن حسن رضي الله عنه عن الكاظم عليه السلام أن المراد به سكر الشراب ثم نسختها آية تحريم الخمر

Muhammad Baqir Al-Majlisi writes: “It may be that the two are connected, for when the ruling on the prohibition of drinks leading to drunkenness came to light, a group of Muslims used to perform prayer while drunk before the prohibition of it gained stability. That sign was revealed and speeches similar to this one were given. Then, when the prohibition was confirmed and gained stability, the situation changed in such a direction that there should be no more discourses of this kind, for the believers do not become drunk after the prohibition of drinks leading to drunkenness has been revealed to them. It is permissible to say: The verse was abrogated by the prohibition of drinks leading to drunkenness, in the meaning of nullifying the addressing of them in a nice and similar way in the time thereafter and not in the meaning of permissibility of praying in drunkenness. Then, when the judgment made its way to the generality, it became something that is denied to the heart and the interpretation of the drunkenness of sleep and what goes in that direction became possible and also that another judgment made its way to the generality. Therefore, there is no contradiction among the traditions.” [Bihar-ul-Anwar, Vol. 81 page 270.]

قال محمد باقر المجلسي: وربما يجمع بينهما بأنه لما كانت الحكمة يقتضي تحريم الخمر متدرجا و كان قوم من المسلمين يصلون سكارى منها قبل استقرار تحريمها، نزلت هذه الآية و خوطبوا بمثل هذا الخطاب، ثم لما ثبت تحريمها واستقر وصاروا ممن لا ينبغي أن يخاطبوا بمثله – لان المؤمنين لا يسكرون من الشراب بعد أن حرم عليهم – جاز أن يقال: الآية منسوخة بتحريم الخمر، بمعنى عدم حسن خطابهم بمثله بعد ذلك، لا بمعنى جواز الصلاة مع السكر، ثم لما عم الحكم ساير ما يمنع من حضور القلب جاز أن يفسر بسكر النوم ونحوه تارة وأن يعمم الحكم أخرى، فلا تنافي بين الروايات

The people of the innovation on the other hand claim that the Commander of the Believers (a.) indulged in the consumption of alcohol, until the son of Khattab finally caused it to be banned.

Evidence:

Ata’ Ibn As-Sa’ib reported that Abu Abd Ar-Rahman said: “Abd-ur-Rahman made some food and called some of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (s.) to him, among whom was Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.). Thereupon he read: “Say: O unbelievers! I do not worship whom you worship. We worship the one, whom you worship.” (109:1-3) Therefore God revealed: “O you who believe, do not come to prayer while you are drunk until you know what you are saying!” (4:43) Al-Hakim An-Naisaburi writes: “These traditions are all authentic (Sahih) according to their chains.” [Al-Mustadrak Ala As-Sahihain of Al-Hakim, Hadith 7330]

حدثناه أبو زكريا العنبري, ثنا أبو عبد الله البوشنجي, ثنا مسدد بن مسرهد, أنبأ خالد بن عبد الله, عن عطاء بن السائب, عن أبي عبد الرحمن, أن عبد الرحمن صنع طعاما قال: فدعا ناسا من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فيهم علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه فقرأ قل يا أيها الكافرون لا أعبد ما تعبدون ونحن عابدون ما عبدتم فأنزل الله عز وجل يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى حتى تعلموا ما تقولون. قال الحاكم النيسابوري: هذه الأسانيد كلها صحيحة

Abu Abd Ar-Rahman As-Sulami reported that Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.) said: “Abd-ur-Rahman Ibn Awf made us something to eat. Thereupon he called us and we took into us alcoholic drinks. Thereupon I took away the drink leading to drunkenness from us and joined in prayer. They made me the prayer leader and I read: “Say: O unbelievers! I do not worship whom you worship. We worship the one whom you worship.” (109:1-3) Therefore God revealed: “O you who believe, do not come to prayer while you are drunk until you know what you are saying!” (4:43) Abu Isa At-Tirmidhi writes: “This tradition is good, unique and authentic (Sahih).” Muhammad Nasir-ud-Din Al-Albani writes: “Authentic (Sahih).” [Sahih At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3026.]

حدثنا عبد بن حميد حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن سعد عن أبي جعفر الرازي عن عطاء بن السائب عن أبي عبد الرحمن السلمي عن علي بن أبي طالب قال صنع لنا عبد الرحمن بن عوف طعاما فدعانا وسقانا من الخمر فأخذت الخمر منا وحضرت الصلاة فقدموني فقرأت قل يا أيها الكافرون لا أعبد ما تعبدون ونحن نعبد ما تعبدون قال فأنزل الله تعالى يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى حتى تعلموا ما تقولون قال أبو عيسى هذا حديث حسن غريب صحيح وقال محمد ناصر الدين الألباني: صحيح

Abu Abd Ar-Rahman As-Sulami reported that Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.) said: “Abd-ur-Rahman Ibn Awf made us something to eat. Thereupon he called us and we took alcoholic drinks. Then I took away the drink leading to drunkenness from us and joined the prayer. They made me the prayer leader and I read: “Say: O unbelievers! I do not worship whom you worship. We worship Him, whom you worship.” (109:1-3) Therefore God revealed: “O you who believe, do not come to prayer while you are drunk until you know what you are saying!” (4:43) Isma’il Ibn Umar Ibn Kathir writes: “Authentic (Sahih).“ [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 1 page 309]

سبب آخر: قال ابن أبي حاتم: حدثنا محمد بن عمار, حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن عبد الله الدشتكي, حدثنا أبو جعفر عن عطاء بن السائب, عن أبي عبد الرحمن السلمي, عن علي بن أبي طالب قال: صنع لنا عبد الرحمن بن عوف طعاما, فدعانا وسقانا من الخمر, فأخذت الخمر منا, وحضرت الصلاة فقدموا فلانا – قال: فقرأ: قل يا أيها الكافرون, ما أعبد ما تعبدون, ونحن نعبد ما تعبدون. [قال] فأنزل الله تعالى يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى حتى تعلموا ما تقولون. قال إسماعيل بن عمر بن كثير: حسن صحيح

Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah writes: “Because of Ali, God revealed the verse: “O you who believe, do not come to prayer while you are drunk until you know what you are saying!” (4:43) While he was reading the Qur’an in prayer and got confused.” [Minhaj-us-Sunnah, Vol. 7 page 237]

قال أحمد بن تيمية: وقد أنزل الله تعالى في علي ياأيها الذين آمنوا لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى حتى تعلموا ما تقولون سورة النساء : ٤٣ لما صلى فقرأ وخلط

Fakhr-ud-Din Ar-Razi writes: “Abd-ur-Rahman Ibn Awf made a group of virtuous companions some food and gave them drink and at that time alcoholic drinks were permitted. Therefore, they took the food and drink and when the time for evening prayer arrived, they declared a companion of theirs as their prayer leader and he read: “I worship whom you worship and you worship whom I worship.” (109:2) Therefore the sign was revealed: “Do not come to prayer while you are drunk!” (4:43) Thereafter, they did not get drunk during the times of prayer, but after performing the evening prayer, they got drunk and did not become lively until the drunkenness left them and they knew what they were saying and thereupon it was completely forbidden in the chapter of Al-Ma’idah. At the time when Umar heard of their drunkenness, he said: “O God, alcoholic drinks destroy the mind and wealth. Therefore, reveal Your command against it!” Therefore, a revelation was revealed to them as a sign in Al-Ma’idah.” [At-Tafsir-ul-Kabir / Mafatih-ul-Ghaib, Volume 10 page 107 – 108]

قال فخر الدين الرازي: أن جماعة من أفاضل الصحابة صنع لهم عبد الرحمن بن عوف طعاما وشرابا حين كانت الخمر مباحة, فأكلوا وشربوا, فلما ثملوا جاء وقت صلاة المغرب, فقدموا أحدهم ليصلي بهم, فقرأ: أعبد ما تعبدون وأنتم عابدون ما أعبد. فنزلت هذه الآية, فكانوا لا يشربون في أوقات الصلوات, فإذا صلوا العشاء شربوها, فلا يصبحون إلا وقد ذهب عنهم السكر وعلموا ما يقولون, ثم نزل تحريمها على الإطلاق في سورة المائدة. وعن عمر – رضي الله عنه – أنه لما بلغه ذلك قال: اللهم إن الخمر تضر بالعقول والأموال, فأنزل فيها أمرك, فصبحهم الوحي بآية المائدة

Harithah Ibn Mudarrib reported that Umar said: “God, bring us the clear proof against alcohol!” Thereupon it was revealed: “O you who believe, do not come to prayer while you are drunk until you know what you are saying!” (4:43) Thereafter, Prophet Muhammad (s.) called for Umar and read it to him, but it seemed that it did not suit the wishes of Umar. Therefore, he said: “O God, bring us the clear proof against alcohol!” Thereupon it was revealed: “They ask you about the drink that lead to drunkenness and gambling. Say: There is great sin in them, and also much benefit to mankind. But the sin in them is greater than the benefit.” (2:219) After this, Prophet Muhammad (s) called for Umar and read it to him, but it seemed that it did not suit the wishes of Umar. Therefore, he said: “O God, bring us the clear proof against alcohol!” Thereupon it was revealed: “O you who believe, drink leading to drunkenness, gambling, sacrificial stones and loose arrows are a stain from the work of Satan. Avoid them, that it may be prosperous for you. For Satan wants to arouse enmity and hatred between you by means of gambling and to lead you away from the remembrance of God and from prayer. Will you now desist?” (5:90-91 After that, Prophet Muhammad (s.) called for Umar and read it to him. Umar said: “It is enough for us, O Lord!” Al-Hakim An-Naisaburi writes: “This tradition is authentic (Sahih) according to its chain, but the two (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) have not published it.” Muhammad Nasir-ud-Din Al-Albani writes: “Authentic (Sahih).” [Al-Mustadrak Ala As-Sahihain by Al-Hakim, Hadith 7332; Sahih An-Nasa’i by Al-Albani, Hadith 5540]

أخبرني أبو يحيى أحمد بن محمد السمرقندي ببخارى ثنا أبو عبد الله محمد بن نصير الإمام ثنا محمد بن معمر ثنا حميد بن حماد عن أبي الجوزاء ثنا حمزة الزيات عن أبي إسحاق عن حارثة بن مضرب قال قال عمر رضي الله عنه: اللهم بين لنا في الخمر فنزلت: يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى حتى تعلموا ما تقولون إلى آخر الآية فدعا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عمر فتلاها عليه فكأنها لم توافق من عمر الذي أراد فقال اللهم بين لنا في الخمر فنزلت يسألونك عن الخمر والميسر قل فيهما إثم كبير ومنافع للناس وإثمهما أكبر من نفعهما فدعا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عمر فتلاها عليه فكأنها لم توافق من عمر الذي أراد فقال اللهم بين لنا في الخمر فنزلت يا أيها الذين آمنوا إنما الخمر والميسر والأنصاب والأزلام رجس من عمل الشيطان فاجتنبوه حتى انتهى إلى قوله فهل أنتم منتهون فدعا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عمر فتلاها عليه فقال عمر انتهينا يا رب قال الحاكم النيسابوري: هذا حديث صحيح الإسناد ولم يخرجاه وقال محمد ناصر الدين الألباني : صحيح

However, the actual drunkard was a hypocrite whose act was slowly attributed to Imam Ali (a.).

Abu Abd Ar-Rahman As-Sulami reported that Amr Ibn Al-As read with another man: “Say: O you disbelievers!” – 109:1 – Thereupon he got confused in it. They used to take to alcoholic drinks and therefore it was revealed: “Do not come to prayer while you are drunk!” (4:43) Amr Ibn Al-As said: “Abd-ur-Rahman Ibn Awf made us something to eat. He then called us and we took alcoholic drinks. Thereupon I took away the drink leading to drunkenness from us and joined the prayer. They made me the prayer leader and I read: “Say: O unbelievers! I do not worship, whom you worship. We worship the one, whom you worship.” (109:1-3) Therefore God revealed: “O you who believe, do not come to prayer while you are drunk until you know what you are saying!””- (4:43) Abu Bakr Ibn Al-Arabi writes: “At-Tirmidhi published it and classified the tradition as authentic (Sahih) and that story has already been narrated for clarification of it, but we need not mention it here. This tradition is authentic (Sahih) and has been transmitted from one righteous narrator to another righteous narrator.” [Ahkam-ul-Qur’an by Abu Bakr Ibn Al-Arabi, Volume 1 page 551 – 552]

روى عبد الرحمن بن مهدي عن سفيان عن عطاء بن السائب عن أبي عبد الرحمن السلمي عن عمرو أنه صلى بعبد الرحمن بن عوف ورجل آخر فقرأ قل يا أيها الكافرون فخلط فيها , وكانوا يشربون من الخمر فنزلت لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى وقال عمرو بن العاص صنع لنا عبد الرحمن بن عوف طعاما فدعانا وسقانا من الخمر فأخذت الخمر منا وحضرت الصلاة فقدموني فقرأت قل يا أيها الكافرون لا أعبد ما تعبدون ونحن نعبد ما تعبدون . قال فأنزل الله تعالى يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تقربوا الصلاة وأنتم سكارى الآية. قال أبو بكر بن العربي: خرجه الترمذي وصححه وقد رويت هذه القصة بأبين من هذا لكنا لا نفتقر إليها هاهنا وهذا حديث صحيح من رواية العدل عن العدل