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The Quran Answers False Assessments of the Quran: Another Incorrect Interpretation on the Subject of Wine

Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Prejudice, Ulterior Motives and Lack of Sincerity
  3. Confusing Intricate (Mutashabih) Verses With Perspicuous (Muhkam) Ones
  4. Lack of Expertise in Qur'anic Interpretation Techniques
  5. Insufficient Knowledge of Arabic
  6. The Absence of God-Given Wisdom and Understanding
  7. Lack of Thinking
  8. Arrogance and Superiority
  9. Trying to Interpret the Qur'an with Old Traditions
  10. Inability to Understand the Scientific Qur'anic Verses
  11. Trying to Interpret the Qur'an According to the Flawed Values of the Established Order
  12. Wine-drinking in Heaven
  13. Another Incorrect Interpretation on the Subject of Wine
  14. The Claim that "Pork Produced Under the Strict Hygienic Surroundings of Today May Be Consumed"
  15. Seeing the Anecdotes in the Qur'an as Fables
  16. The Assumption That the Qur'an is a Copy or Imitation of Other Holy Books
  17. Incompatibilities and Differences
  18. The Misinterpretation of the Term "We," Which God Uses in Reference to Himself
  19. Failing to Understand the Examples Given in the Qur'an
  20. Failing to Understand the Repetitions in the Qur'an
  21. Failing to Understand the Style of the Qur'an
  22. The Subject of Creation in Six Days
  23. The Speculation About Noah's Flood
  24. Conclusion

It is stated in verse 67 of Surat an-Nahl "And from the fruit of the date-palm and the grape-vine you derive both intoxicants and wholesome provision."

Some people of limited understanding assume that this verse praises wine and say that it is contradictory for a forbidden drink to be praised. First of all, if you take a good look, you can see that there is no such praise in the verse. The praise is rather of "the fruit of the date-palm and the grape-vine" which provide people with wholesome nourishment. The intoxicants mentioned in the first part of the verse are what people distill from these components and cause drunkenness, which have already been mentioned in many parts of the Qur'an as harmful and wrong. If anyone manages to reach the conclusion that this verse is praising or encouraging drunkenness, then either that person has an ulterior motive or else he is simply displaying an immense error in understanding and opinion.

This verse draws attention to one very significant fact; any food given as sustenance by God, can, if so desired, be used in a positive and beneficial way or can be abused to serve harmful ends. In the same way, depending on the intent, a given blessing can be used for good or ill, and can be used for lawful (halal) or unlawful (haram) ends.

Here, this basic fact of this world, which is a testing ground, is made clear in the controversy over grapes and wine. The grape, a sustenance filled with healthy, nurturing and delicious qualities can be distilled into a truly harmful substance with permanent and negative effects. The same principle is true of other offerings from God such as property, money, beauty, intelligence, office, position, power and dominion. It is possible to use these in a manner that will please God or for harmful and destructive purposes to displease Him.

As seen, God can transform any offering, for various reasons, into different creations. He can make this clear in a single verse with the same superior Wisdom. Those who are able to reason will see the logic in God's verses and understand them. Moreover, the continuation of the verse "There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reason." (Surat an-Nahl: 67) sheds further light on this subject.

In short, when the verse is read with consciousness and attention, it can be seen that it is not contradictory at all. The deniers' attempt to find contradiction in such obvious subjects clearly shows their desperate situation in the face of the Qur'an.