Wine in Paradise is not harmful

25/11/2009| IslamWeb

Question

Why are many things prohibited in the worldly life though they will be permitted in Paradise?

Fatwa

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

It must be known that only Allah The Almighty is the One Who can permit and prohibit things. There is no rule without a rationale that is known to some but unknown to others. Actually, prohibiting and permitting certain things are made a trial in which the person's level of worship and submission is tested. Hence, the believer says "we hear and obey", while the disbeliever says, "we hear and disobey".

Therefore, the believer must not give priority to anything over what is ordained by Allah The Almighty and His Messenger . Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.} [Quran 33:36]

It is not for the slave to object to the orders of his Lord or to question reasons for permission and prohibition because Allah The Almighty says about Himself: {He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.} [Quran 21:23]

Those who enter Paradise shall have no obligations, no suffering, and will enjoy the Pleasure of Allah The Almighty Who will give them whatever they desire of various kinds of bliss. Allah The Almighty will make lawful for them some of the things He prohibited in the worldly life as a reward for their patience and adherence to His Orders. Nevertheless, there is no comparison between what is available in this worldly life and what is in the Hereafter.

Speaking of the wine in Paradise, Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {They will exchange with one another a cup [of wine] wherein [results] no ill speech or commission of sin.} [Quran 52:23]

• {White and delicious to the drinkers; No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.} [Quran 37:46-47]

• {There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring -No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated.} [Quran 56:17-19]

Commenting on the verse [Quran 52:23], Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy on him, states that they do not speak idle talk, nor do they say foul words like those of the drunkards in this life. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, mentioned that they will not utter falsehood or lies. Mujaahid, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned that they do not insult one another or commit sins.

Qataadah, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned that Allah The Almighty protected the wine in the Hereafter against the impurities and harm of the wine in this worldly life. He The Almighty removed its harmful effects, such as headache, stomachache, and loss of mental faculties. Allah the Almighty informs us that wine in the Hereafter does not make its drinkers utter idle talk or foul words. On the contrary, Allah The Almighty stresses its beautiful appearance, delicious taste and harmless effects. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {White and delicious to the drinkers; No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.} [Quran 37:46-47] 

Commenting on this verse, Al-Qurtubi quoted Zayd ibn Aslam, may Allah have mercy on them, as stating that the color of the wine in the Hereafter in Paradise is white and brilliant, unlike the wine of the worldly life which is unpleasant in appearance; reddish, blackish, yellowish or brownish which is naturally repugnant to the one with sound taste. Wine in Paradise does not incapacitate the mind. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, pointed out that wine had four undesirable effects: intoxication, headache, vomiting and excessive urination. However, Allah The Almighty removed these effects from the wine in Paradise. 

And Allah knows best.