The Noble Sahaabah's Spirit Of Obedience
After The Order Of Prohibition

Generally, old customs and habits gradually become part and parcel of a person's temperament and they become almost second nature. The prohibition of that
which was part of their lives and a means of pride for them was a great trial and tribulation for them. This period was very vital in Islaam. As the consideration
of the human feelings and instincts by the Divine Religion is praiseworthy, the spirit of obedience and total submission of the Muslim Ummah, after the
prohibition, is also a living and outstanding example unparalleled in history.

After the prohibition was revealed, the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam sent out a caller, who proclaimed in the streets of Madeenah: "Beware intoxicants (alcohol) have been prohibited." This proclamation and message went straight to the hearts and changed the spirits of the people. Intoxicants, which a few minutes ago were the most beloved thing of the Arabs and part of their lives, became detestable in their sight after hearing the order of prohibition. Whoever had glasses of intoxicants in their hands threw them to the ground; whoever had alcohol in their mouths spat it out. The sound of breaking glasses and drinking vessels was heard from every home. Liquor flowed in the streets of Madeenah like torrents of rain.

A very illustrious Companion of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, Hadhrat Anas Ibne Maalik radhiyallahu anhu , reports that at that time a group of Sahaabah were assembled at the house of Hadhrat Aboo Talhah  radhiyallahu  anhu. Among them were prominent Sahaabah like Hadhrat Aboo 'Ubaydah Ibne Jarraah, Hadhrat Aboo Dujaanah, Hadhrat Mu'aaz Ibne Jabal and Hadhrat Suhayl Ibne Baydhaa radhiyallahu  anhum . He says, "I was the cup-bearer in this gathering. Suddenly I heard the sound of the caller and all present heard it also. None of us present thought it necessary to go outside and investigate, but instead all the glasses were thrown to the ground. Large earthen pots and containers were broken and destroyed. All the alcohol was thrown into the gutters and down pipes. We all made ghusl and wudhoo, and proceeded to the masjid, where we found the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam reciting the verse which contained the order of prohibition."

Hadhrat Buraydah  radhiyallahu  anhu  was also in a gathering engaged in drinking alcohol and giving others to drink. The voice of the caller was heard and
immediately, the alcohol in the glasses was thrown to the ground, the alcohol in the mouths was spat out, and the alcohol in huge containers was destroyed.

Hadhrat Jaabir  radhiyallahu  anhu  reports that a Companion's business was liquor. He used to bring liquor from Khaybar and sell it in Madeenah. Incidentally, at the time intoxicants were declared Haraam, he had gone to Khaybar to purchase alcohol. Upon entering Madeenah one Sahaabi informed him that liquor had been declared Haraam. Hearing this, he stopped where he was and did not move further with the liquor. He left all the liquor on one hill-top
and proceeded to the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam and asked him if the news of the prohibition was true. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam verified this. He enquired further, 'Will I be permitted to give it back to the person I brought it from ?'
The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, 'No, now to return it is not permissible for you.' 'Can I give it to some non-Muslim, who has done me some favour?' The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, 'No.' He then said, 'I have utilised the wealth of some orphans who are in my care, in buying this liquor. What should I do?' The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam told him when the goods of Bahrain come to them, at that time, the compensation of the rights of the orphans will be given from the Bayt-ul-Maal. This Companion went back to where he had left the liquor and poured all the liquor on to the ground. Liquor was flowing in large quantities like rain water.

This is not the occasion to accumulate incidents concerning liquor, but since liquor and gambling were prohibited together in the same verse at the same time,
a few incidents to reflect the spirit of obedience of the Sahaabah  radhiyallahu  anhum are mentioned here. When this was the spirit of obedience in liquor, the
total abstinence of which is very difficult, one can imagine their submission and obedience in gambling. History bears testimony to the fact that after the revelation of the prohibition of gambling, the Sahaabah abstained from everything that seemed doubtful to them. In Saheeh Bukhaari, the Hadeeth of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, is mentioned that whoever tells his companion, 'Come let's gamble,' he should give charity as a compensation for merely talking about such an evil deed.

Alas, how sorrowful to note, that intoxicants and gambling, which have been very strongly prohibited in the Qur'aan and the very mentioning of gambling is termed in the Hadeeth as a sin, are regarded as completely lawful and permissible by the Muslims of today, as if the prohibition of these things does not even exist in the Qur'aan and Hadeeth, or (Allah forbid) they have no faith in the Qur'aan and Hadeeth. What is more regretful is that those people who are regarded as pious and religious, due to their acts of worship (Salaat and Fasting), are also involved in these sins.

Some Forms Of Gambling