ALCOHOL FROM NONGRAPE THINGS

Q. A Mufti says that alcohol which is not derived from grapes is permissible as long as the quantity is small and it does not intoxicate. This is very surprising. Is his fatwa correct?
A. The Fatwa of the Mufti is dangerously baaqtil incorrect. This mufti appears to be the materialization of Rasulullah’s prediction that towards the approach of Qiyaamah Muslims will legalize liquor by changing the names of the wine. The mufti is opening the door for halaalization of liquor. His ‘fatwa’ is encouragement for consumption of liquor and drunkenness All kinds of alcohol are haraam according to all four Math-habs regardless of the small quantity. The permissibility fatwa opens the avenue for the legalization (halaalization) of liquor which will still take place on a big and flagrant scale because Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had predicted that Muslims will halaalize liquor by giving it different names.
On the basis of the permissibility fatwa, whisky, gin, vodka and most kinds of liquor should be ‘halaal’ if taken in small quantities which do not intoxicate. The ethanol in these liquors is not derived from grapes. To issue Fatwa, a mufti requires far-sightedness, depth and taqwa. If he lacks these qualities, he will be a mudhil (one who leads people to Jahannum). Textual knowledge is not sufficient. This type of corrupt fatwa destroys the morals of Muslims. The primary obligation of a Mufti is to strengthen the bond of Muslims with Allah Ta’ala. But this mufti with his corrupt concoction based on an obscure technicality is misleading Muslims and taking them far from Allah Ta’ala. As we come closer to Qiyaamah there will be a glut of muftis issuing a glut of corrupt, baatil, haraam ‘fatwas’. They come within the purview of the Hadith: “They are astray and they lead (others) astray.”

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