Alcohol and Gambling are Sins???

Rainbow Mage · Feb 9, 2011

Esalam so you should never spend anything on your own enjoyment?

Gharib · Feb 9, 2011

the verse doesn't say that, nor do the hadith. gambling and alcohol are not enjoyment because they are sins, islamically speaking.

Rainbow Mage · Feb 9, 2011

Well that's usually what a sin seems to be when it comes to the Abrahamic faiths- something a person enjoys and can abuse. Like I said, applies to food too.

Gharib · Feb 9, 2011

i already answered your question of the OP along with the rest that you made. you can read my post where i explained the excessive eating thing in the previous pages. thats it from me, i do not wish to debate nor go in circles. you made a question i answered. all the best to you.

Rainbow Mage · Feb 9, 2011

ESelam you seem to have a issue with questioning or subjecting to good reasoning anything that Islam tells you. And you view Islam through the most literalist and narrow-minded lens.

Gharib · Feb 9, 2011

please don't tell me about my issues, if i had any i would have pick up on it, i wouldn't let other people find faults in me, i am my closest person and am around myself 24/7 ever since i was born. however, you can have an oppinion, and it seems you have expressed it.

Dezzie · Feb 9, 2011

Madhuri said:
Not according to my understanding because I don't believe in sin. But I do understand that things like alcohol and gambling are bad for you and can lead to negative consequences. Hence why my religion preaches against getting involved with them.

I couldn't agree more. I don't believe that either of them is a sin. I'm not exactly sure what sin is to be honest. Drinking alcohol is fine as long as you do it responsibly. Gambling, in my opinion, is not good period. I always think you should work for your money not try and win it and take the easy way out. I know times are hard but um... why make them more difficult by potentially losing all you have?

I don't drink alcohol because I choose not to. I have seen how people act if they drink irresponsibly. I would never want to potentially put another human being in danger because of my impaired mistake. I don't want to be impaired at all actually. I've been tipsy before (I drank once with one of my friends), about 5 years ago. I can't say I would do it again. I remember laughing, a lot. Laughing is great but I would rather remember what I was laughing at.

ChristineES · Feb 9, 2011

Excessive anything can be considered a sin: drinking, gambling, eating, porn, sex, even exercise.

EDIT: Why would they be considered sinful? Because too much of anything can cause harm to yourself or another.

MathewJames · Feb 9, 2011

eselam said:
this is what the Qur'an says regarding alcohol;

The Noble Qur'an - al-Baqarah 2:219 They ask you (O Muhammad ) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: "That which is beyond your needs." Thus Allâh makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought.

The Qur'an clearly allows alcoholic drink and it even says that is some instances it is a benefit for men. And surely if you are a drunk it is a great sin.

When they asked how much should they should spend on it, the answer is, any money that you can threw away and not have any financial change, regarding if it was spent or not spent.

Rainbow Mage · Feb 9, 2011

MathewJames said:
The Qur'an clearly allows alcoholic drink and it even says that is some instances it is a benefit for men. And surely if you are a drunk it is a great sin.

When they asked how much should they should spend on it, the answer is, any money that you can threw away and not have any financial change, regarding if it was spent or not spent.

See that's what I thought too. I know in other parts of the Quran it clearly permits one to spend their money on pleasure, and doesn't encourage hoarding money, because Islam actually takes a view of detatchment from material goods like Buddhism does.

KnightOwl · Feb 9, 2011

Onkara said:
These are a sin, as can anything be consider a sin if it distracts or removes us spritually from higher achievements. Of course if we reject anything beyond self indulgence then there will never be anything with more value than indulging our desires.

Once we know or accept that there is something greater or higher than our desires, and we knowingly act against that, then we knowingly sin or cause harm to ourselves (and perhaps others).

It is not necessarily a sin in the sense that we will go to hell, but it can imply that we will have to reap what we sow (Karma).

I should add that it is up to the individual what they do, and I try not to judge that or suggest it is a sin. Only that going against our better judgement could be called "sin".

All work and now play makes Jack a dull boy. One has to have balance in one's life and always striving for something outside ourselves is not balance. One might achieve a lot, but it will be at some expense.

Is drinking alcohol and gambling a positive or negative thing? Yes, both are either positive or negative depending on the circumstances. That said, there are a lot of people who abuse both. C'est la vie.

astarath · Feb 9, 2011

Sin is convicted by the Spirit. Alchohol is not but there are frequent cautions not to become a drunkard

Kilgore Trout · Feb 9, 2011

I just hate it when I see people enjoying themselves too much. I wish there was some way to try to guilt people into being as bored as me.

KnightOwl · Feb 9, 2011

I dislike the word "sin" because from what I've seen it consists of rules of life, some which make sense and some which are batsh*t crazy.

Ask YOURSELF what will make your life more fulfilling and do THAT. Maybe you need to not drink as much or quit completely. Maybe you need to stop gambling. Or maybe you need to have a night out and a couple of drinks and game of poker with the guys is what you need so come Monday you can go into work and give your best. Only YOU know the answer.

MathewJames · Feb 9, 2011

me personally, I would have loved to hang out on a hillside listening to Jesus teach about life, and of course drinking the wine that he just made out of water. I bet that was some midy fine wine.

nameless · Feb 9, 2011

alcohol diminishes only our consciousness, rest depends on nature of drinker.... no logic in categorizing it under sin. IMO, losing bit of consciousness is very helpful at certain situations.

I see nothing wrong in taking money of a rich gambler through gambling for a good cause.

It would be better if there is no addiction involved, let it be alcohol, gambling and etc.

Gharib · Feb 10, 2011

MathewJames said:
The Qur'an clearly allows alcoholic drink and it even says that is some instances it is a benefit for men. And surely if you are a drunk it is a great sin.

When they asked how much should they should spend on it, the answer is, any money that you can threw away and not have any financial change, regarding if it was spent or not spent.

yes there are benefits from alcohol for men. the seller will gain money from it. it helps with eating (all liquid drinks help with digestion) etc etc. but the it is more harmful than it is beneficial.

the verse speaks of 2 things, alcohol + gambling and giving in charity. people who drink and gamble do not give in charity (maybe only a little) a gambler will go spend his money rather than just give it away for free. same for an alcoholic, he wouldn't give money because he wants to drink his money. therefore Allah says to give the extra wealth that you have rather than gamble or drink it.

i hope my answer is clear, if not please read my previous post that comments on the verse.

ChristineES · Feb 10, 2011

There is one thing I never understood: Why do people feel you need to get drunk to have fun? I don't see anything fun about a hangover, throwing up, or passing out.

Levite · Feb 10, 2011

ChristineES said:
There is one thing I never understood: Why do people feel you need to get drunk to have fun? I don't see anything fun about a hangover, throwing up, or passing out.

I have always tended to agree with that assessment, which is why I've always preferred smoking herb to drinking alcohol. Much pleasanter all around.

Onkara · Feb 10, 2011

ChristineES said:
There is one thing I never understood: Why do people feel you need to get drunk to have fun? I don't see anything fun about a hangover, throwing up, or passing out.

I think drinks serves as a reason to share an experience with friends, the hangover is a consequence.

Alcohol and Gambling are Sins???

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