Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 195
195 only a particular individual or a class that has to be considered; the whole community must be taken into account. It may well be that the harm resulting to an individual or a number of individuals may not be clearly manifested, but there is no denying that society as a whole suffers a great deal of harm from the use of liquor and other intoxicants. The purpose of the Quran is not only to furnish guidance for the individual, but to furnish guidance to the individual as a member of society and to society and, indeed, to mankind as a whole. These are the prohibitions, but not all that is permissible may be used as food and drink in all circumstances. Of all that is permissible, only that may be used as food and drink which is clean and wholesome (2:169,173). Even that which is permissible and is clean and wholesome may be partaken of only in moderation (7:32). Within these limitations there is neither harm nor sin in eating and drinking of the good things provided by God out of His Beneficence, so long as the objective is that life may be sustained and health promoted for the purpose of carrying out God’s will through firm faith in the guidance that He has provided, and righteous action in accordance therewith, which ensures conformity to all His commandments (5:94).