Alcohol consumption is linked to many harmful consequences for the individual drinker, the drinker’s immediate environment and society as a whole. Such social consequences as traffic accidents, workplace-related problems, family and domestic problems, and interpersonal violence have been receiving more public or research attention in recent years, indicating a growing interest in a broader concept of alcohol-related consequences (Klingemann & Gmel, 2001). On the other hand, however, social consequences affect individuals other than the drinker e.g. passengers involved in traffic casualties, or family members affected by failure to fulfil social role obligations, or incidences of violence in the family. Ultimately, however, these events have an impact on society as a whole insofar as they affect economic productivity or require the attention and resources of the criminal justice or health care system, or of other social institutions (Gmel & Rehm, 2003). For the purpose of brevity , this article will only highlight some of the prominent issues and data involving the following selected social problems: alcohol consumption and workplace problems, alcohol consumption and family problems, poverty, and domestic violence
Early and horrible Death caused due to Alcohol
See : http://www.fox28.com/story/24967766/most-alcohol-linked-deaths-occur-among-working-age-adults-cdc
Not only an alcoholic harms the person consuming it, but also others who get in it's way
See: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2524320/Drunk-driver-let-killing-crash-wild-parties-home.html
Destroy's families, children and lives : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2538528/Ravaged-alcohol-Mother-four-drank-40-cans-lager-bottle-cider-day-faces-death-just-35.html
Alcohol negatively affects social lives and socialising too
See: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-20498044
So much so that it even affects school life, neighbours and every possible ambience you're around.
See: http://publichealth.hsc.wvu.edu/Alcohol/Alcoholism/Social-Problems
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/07/21/americans.drinking.alcohol.study/index.html
Alcohol leads to domestic and women abuse
See: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/abuse/a/aa990331.htm
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Alcohol-use-leads-to-domestic-violence/articleshow/29504962.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Alcohol-abuse-depression-obesity-are-interrelated-among-young-women/articleshow/5046162.cms?referral=PM
Alcohol damages the health and fitness (both spiritual and physical)
See: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/15/studies-link-alcohol-to-early-death-memory-loss/
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/29/alcohol.dependence/
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/15/alcohol.women.sleep/
From pregnancy, to teeth, to memory, walking ability, everything is at risk : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-85248/How-alcohol-affects-body.html
From therapy centres to National Institutes both warning and treating this disease
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/journals-and-reports/alcohol-alert
See the world health organization's 2004 survey illustrating the harm caused on every possible level both within and around the alcoholic in various countries : http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/globalstatusreportalcohol2004_socproblems.pdf?ua=1
Link: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews/photos/a.10150618575207217.382392.228735667216/10153311823757217/?type=3&theater
Why the Shar`iah?
Islam once again comes to rescue. Undoubtedly, the only solution to avoid this mishap creeping into every nook and corner of a human's life, is to prohibit this drink completely.
Now there are many ways and gradual process to achieve this, but we aren't discussing how to do that. What i am about to illustrate is the islamic perspective on alcohol and the warnings it gives against those believers who consume it. not only will this help the reader ponder on this wise jurisdiction, but further i will also show how such a prohibition helps the society and individuals safeguard themselves from the evil of alcohol and it's dire consequences
Allah says “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”
[Ref: Qur`an, Surah al-Baqarah, 2:219]
O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al Ansaab (stone altars for offering sacrifices to idols, the jinn, etc), and Al Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaytaan’s (Satan’s) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.
Shaytaan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from As Salaah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?
And obey Allaah and the Messenger (Muhammad), and beware (of even coming near to drinking or gambling or Al Ansaab, or Al Azlaam) and fear Allaah. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger’s duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest way”
[Ref: Qur`an Surah Maidah, 5:90-92]
The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said : And the alcoholic drink is that which confuses and stupefies the mind.”
[Ref: Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Vol 6, Book 60, Hadeeth 143]
Narrated Ibn Abbas the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Alcohol is the mother of all evils, the greatest of major sins. Whoever drinks it may end up committing incest with his mother, his maternal aunt and his paternal aunt.”
[Ref: Mu`jam al-Kabeer of At-tabraanee (11498); Saheeh al-Jaami` (3345); Silsilah as-Saheeha (1853) ]
The US national library on medicine and other such faculties relate incest to alcoholism : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2046376
http://lib.adai.washington.edu/openlibrary/reprints/rp08253.pdf
As a matter of fact, there are networks trying to help overcome this situation, for e.g : http://www.rainn.org/
The warnings, punishment and dealings with regards to alcohol, that are applied on a Muslim are very strict but rectifying. You may read this in detail from here : http://islaahh.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/alcohol-khamr-mother-of-evils/
Did you know, in the early 90's , during 1920-1933 the United states of America had prohibited alcohol.
Prohibition in the United States was a nationwide ban on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of alcoholic beverages that remained in place from 1920 to 1933.[1] The dry movement, led by rural Protestants and social Progressives in the Democratic and Republican parties, was coordinated by the Anti-Saloon League. Prohibition was mandated under the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Enabling legislation, known as the Volstead Act, set down the rules for enforcing the ban and defined the types of alcoholic beverages that were prohibited. Private ownership and consumption of alcohol was not made illegal under federal law; however, in many areas local laws were more strict, with some states banning possession outright. Nationwide Prohibition ended with the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, on December 5, 1933.
And if you analyze the crime rate both social and national, on every level, dropped down to almost 60% . However, it does not always take a rule to implement something that is beneficial. Despite the successful achievement of reducing immorality, the people who lacked faith and a superior motive eventually chose toxic over safety and peace.
Read the details here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States#Rates_of_consumption_during_Prohibition
And see some of the live coverages back then here : http://www.watchmojo.com/video/id/10517/
Compare the crime rates - in the past 3 decades - between the middle eastern Muslim countries that banned alcohol and western nations on ground of alcohol. A quick study or research will help us learn how the crime rate due to alcohol or alcoholic abuses in the muslim nations are almost 95% less than that of the western or pro-alcohol nations.
Even today, in 2014, many muslim nations are still very strict in both the punishment of alcohol consumption as well as it's sale and availability. As a result, the abuse and problems arising due to alcohol is almost negligible in these regions .
To give a quick example supporting my above paraphrase wherein i said that sometimes faith and a higher motive is required to drive a person into wisdom.
People would be surprised to learn that Alcohol was almost the substitute or many a times more preferred than water back then. In every kingdom, across every tribe and religion, the people more ardently resorted to alcoholic drinks than water. And the two prophetic traditions below illustrate how unshakeable the faith of his companions (the foremost of believers in Muhammad's message) was, such that the moment they heard of Allah's command, they did what is reported below :
Narrated Anas:
The alcoholic drink which was spilled was
Al-Fadikh. I used to offer alcoholic drinks to the people at the residence of
Abu Talha. Then the order of prohibiting Alcoholic drinks was revealed, and the
Prophet ordered somebody to announce that: Abu Talha said to me, "Go out
and see what this voice (this announcement ) is." I went out and (on
coming back) said, "This is somebody announcing that alcoholic beverages
have been prohibited." Abu Talha said to me, "Go and spill it (i.e.
the wine)," Then it (alcoholic drinks) was seen flowing through the
streets of Medina. At that time the wine was Al-Fadikh. The people said,
"Some people (Muslims) were killed (during the battle of Uhud) while wine
was in their stomachs." So Allah revealed: "On those who believe and
do good deeds there is no blame for what they ate (in the past)." (5.93)
[Ref: Saheeh Bukhaari, Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 144]
Islam is that superior and higher motive, which has driven millions and millions of Muslims across the globe, to abstain from this evil, even when it is very easily accessible to them.
Beneficial read
http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-about-islam/ethics-and-values/muslim-character/167028-why-is-alcohol-forbidden.html
If you have questions and answers on the rulings and dealings in alcohol related to Islamic shar`iah, please have a look at this excellent directory : http://islamqa.info/en/search?key=alcohol&yt1=search
MAY I HAVE A WORD BEFORE YOU LEAVE?
Countless lives, homes, damage, pain could have been avoided throughout centuries had we implemented the Islamic law on alcohol. Can you imagine, the blessing of peace and safety one who abstains from alcohol enjoys? Sometimes, to achieve a greater purpose, we have to sacrifice the lower elements in the life-chain . There is a reason why when if alcohol is attributed to a mighty king, he looses his glory and when it is attributed to a husband, he looses love and care. The examples are innumerable, the consequences even more. But the solution is only one, the Islamic solution - total abstinence from this disease.
