Should We Legalize Alcohol in the Name of Tourism in Fitrah Regency?

Ma'asyiral Muslimin Rahimakumullah

It is narrated that once Sayyidina Uthman bin Affan was delivering a sermon which contained:

"Beware of alcoholic beverages, for they are the mother of all evil deeds. Indeed, there was a pious man before you from among the worshippers. He was diligent in attending the mosque. One day, he met a beautiful woman."

"The woman ordered her servant to let the man into the house. Then the door was locked tightly. Beside the woman were liquor and a small child. Then the woman said:

“You cannot leave this house until you choose one of three things I ask: First, you drink this glass of wine. Second, you commit adultery with me. And third, you kill this little child. If you don't, then I will shout and say that you entered my house. Who will believe you?'”

The man replied, "I don't want to commit heinous acts (adultery) or kill people." Finally, the pious man drank a glass of alcohol. By Allah, he became drunk, so he committed adultery with the woman and killed the little child.

Uthman bin Affan also advised:

"So stay away from alcoholic beverages, because alcoholic beverages are the mother of all vile deeds. By Allah, indeed, faith and alcoholic beverages will not unite in a person's heart but almost certainly one of them will eliminate the other."

The Muslims, may Allah have mercy on them

The story above offers a valuable lesson. The message is clear: drinking alcohol, whether it's a little or a lot, whether it benefits business owners or not, whether it's free or paid, whether it warms the body or not, remains a source of disaster.

So, it would be very ironic and sad for us, the residents of West Sumbawa Regency, which is known as Fitrah Regency, where a regional regulation was discussed, specifically Regional Regulation No. 13 of 2018 concerning the Eradication of Social Disorders. One of the main points was the legalization of alcoholic beverages in tourist areas and hotels.

The reasoning is far-fetched. A self-proclaimed expert concluded that tourism would never thrive if alcohol were not provided to tourists, based solely on one perspective.

This rationale clearly benefits only a select group of people, but it has detrimental consequences for society, especially young people and those directly involved in this world. So, where will the noble ideals of the founders of this region be fought for? Instead, they've been pawned off for the material interests of a handful of individuals.

The legalization of alcohol cannot be used as an excuse to accelerate regional development. Instead, alcohol must be combated, as it is the source of all forms of evil.

Friday congregation, Rahimakumullah…

Indeed, Allah is Righteous in His Word which prohibits drinking:

"O you who believe! Indeed (drinking) alcohol, gambling, (sacrificing to) idols, and drawing lots of fortunes with arrows are among the actions of Satan. So stay away from these actions so that you will be lucky."
(QS. Al-Ma'idah: 90)

The words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are truly true:

"Avoid anything that is intoxicating, in fact intoxicants are the opening of all evil."
(Narrated by Baihaqi)

Rasulullah ﷺ also said that alcoholic drinks or khamr are the mother (brain) of all evil.

"Khamr is the mother of the greatest abominations and sins. Whoever drinks khamr can commit adultery with his mother, his mother's sister, and his father's sister."
(HR. Ath-Thabrani)

Alcoholic beverages (miras) fall into the category of drinks that damage and diminish the function of reason. Meanwhile, reason must be protected from things that harm it. One of the goals of Islamic law is to hifdz al-aql (protecting reason).

Islam strictly forbids alcoholic beverages. Not only is drinking it illegal, but even sitting next to someone drinking is also prohibited. Moreover, visiting a place where alcohol is consumed is strictly prohibited. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) even cursed it. 10 (ten) groups related to alcohol or liquor.

The ten groups are:

1. The one who blackmailed him.
2. The one who asked to be squeezed.
3. The one who drinks it.
4. Who brought it.
5. The one who brought it.
6. The one who poured it.
7. The one who sold it.
8. Who eats the proceeds of the sale.
9. Who bought it.
10. The one who asked to be bought.
    (Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)

Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi in the book Halal wal Haram in Islam in the first chapter about Islamic Principles Concerning Halal and Haram, stating that alcoholic beverages (alcohol), superstition, and gambling not Islamic culture, but rather the culture of ignorance that was adopted by the West and transformed throughout the Islamic world.

Therefore, if there are Islamic teachings that conflict with Western culture, they try to find similarities, justifications, and put forward reasons to defend themselves or create interesting but distorted explanations.

If in an area there are a law that legalizes the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages, it is certain that the area is far from the concept baldatun thayyibatun wa rabbun ghafur (a good country and a merciful God).

Because, from the environment that alcohol enters, the generation will be damaged in terms of morals, manners and futureIf the young generation is addicted to alcohol, other forms of crime will arise, such as adultery, rape, and even murder.

So it is not wrong if the Prophet ﷺ said that alcohol (khamr) is the mother of crime.

Let us pray that all elements currently involved in drafting this regional regulation will... His intentions were straightened, his heart opened, and not until legalize liquor in West Sumbawa Regency this one we love.

May we and our families be kept away from these forbidden drinks.

Amen yâ Rabbal 'âlamîn.

Sermon II