CAUSE OF THE REVELATION

VERSE NO.90

      Different causes for the revelation have been narrated, all of which are somehow similar. Among them is the narration of; MASNAD AHMAD - SONAN ABIDAWOOD - NESAEE and TARAZI, which follows:-

``OMAR, who later became the second Khalif of Islam was severely fond of drinking wine, (refer to the commentary of FIZALAL V. 3 P. 33) and meanwhile pleaded with God for a more understanding attitude about the nature, profit and loss of wine and other intoxicants.''

      When the verse Q- S2: 219 revealed that:-

      ``They ask you about intoxicants and gamblings? Say:- `In both of them is great sin, and there are also some profit in them for people...'' The prophet rehearsed it to OMAR, but he did not desist drinking, and also continued with his prayer of pleading with God for more information about wine! Once again another verse in the mood of prohibition of wine (Q- S4: 43) was sent down that:-

      ``O, you who believe! Do not approach the prayer when you are drunk, until you can know well, what you are saying.''

      The prophet recited this verse too, to OMAR; but he was not satisfied, and continued with drinking, and repeating his prayer!

      Then the verse Q- S5: 90 was revealed which has clearly and strictly declared wine, intoxicants, and drugs, as unlawful and great sin, and the act of Satan and abomination. This time OMAR ceased drinking, and abstained from taking alcoholic drinks!

THE GRADUAL AND FINAL COMMANDMENTS ABOUT

INTOXICANTS

      During the Pagan Era, and after that when Islam had not enough social power, dirinking wine and other sorts of intoxicants was somethings common among all calsses of Arabs, and it indeed worked in the frame of general calamities. Historians have written that all Arabs were in love with wine, poetry, and war.

      Islam struggled hard against that painful and injurious custom, and gradually cleared and cleared the young community, of wine's evil consequences. At first; verses came down to reveal the bad and hateful effects of drinking liquors or alcoholic beverages, and its profit which is much less than its loss.

      In the second stage of the prohibition, the verse forbade the drunken to approach the prayer, unless they may know what they say in their supplications.

      And finally all sorts of wine, intoxicants, and drugs, were declared as unlawful for a Muslim to take.

      The Arabic, `ANSطB' were shapeless idols, just like pieces of stones, but still were objects of worship for Arab idolaters.