Does A Muslim Become Kaafir By Uttering The Words Of Kufr In The State Of Intoxication?
Kaniz
Fatma, New Age Islam
28 May
2021
Answer:
If a Muslim utters the words implying Kufr in a state of
intoxication, he will not be declared Kaafir. This answer is supported
by the Quran. Allah the Most Exalted says in the Quran,
“O you,
who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you
know what you are saying” (4:43)
The
cause of revelation (Shane Nuzul) of this verse is that Hazrat
Abdul Rahman bin Awf invited a group of Sahaba, in which wine was served
after the meal. Some drank because alcohol was not forbidden till then and
thereafter they offered Maghrib prayers. While being in the state of
intoxication, Imam recited Surah Kafirun, which must have been as
follows;
“Say,
‘O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of
what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be
worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my
religion.”(109:1-6)
However,
Imam gave up the prohibition particle ‘laa’ at two places and could not
have a sense of it, because of which the meaning changed.
Then
this verse was revealed and the Muslims were forbidden to offer prayers in a
state of intoxication. Thereafter the Muslims gave up alcohol during the time
of prayers. Later on, alcohol was absolutely declared forbidden. After this
verse, alcohol was forbidden only during the state of prayers but Surah
Maidah was revealed, drinking was completely declared forbidden.
This
proves that a person does not become a kaafir by uttering the words of
disbelief [kufr] in a state of intoxication, because it is kufr
to give up the prohibition particle ‘laa’ at either of the places of Surah
Kafirun, as it will then mean “Say, ‘O disbelievers, I worship what you
worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. I will be a worshipper of
what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is
your religion, and for me is my religion.”(109:1-6)
But
since there was the state of intoxication, the Prophet did not declare it Kufr,
but instead, they were addressed as the believers as the phrase “ya aiyyuhal
lazina aamanu meaning ‘O you who have believed” indicates. If it had been Kufr
to give up the particle ‘laa’, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would
have declared them infidels and asked them to renew their faith (tajdid-e-iman).
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