“A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one…” [Bukhari, Muslim]
The consumption of fermented beverages by humans is as old as human history known to man. Alcoholism is a serious disease. Globally around 120 million people have an alcohol use disorder. In the United States, more than 86% of Americans have consumed alcohol at some point. About 15 million people, 8% of the adult population, struggle with alcohol use disorder. Heavy drinking is associated with an increased risk of alcohol disorders, suicide, interpersonal violence, traffic injuries, liver disease, certain cancers, and infectious diseases. Nearly 90,000 people die of alcohol-related causes every year in the US.
Equally chronicle is the gambling problem. Estimates indicate that approximately 85% of Americans have had gambling experience and about 8 million have mild to severe gambling addiction. The national social cost of this addiction is $8 billion a year. It is generally accepted that people with one addiction are more at risk to develop another. Some individuals with gambling issues also find they have a problem with alcohol or drugs. According to a WHO report, of approximately one million suicides each year, 5% are compulsive gamblers.
Islam strictly prohibits all alcoholic beverages, intoxicants, and addictive substances as harmful to human health and mental state. Man is the most superior living creature on earth because of his intellectual capability and judgment. The prudence of Judgement is his first strength to be compromised when under the influence of intoxication. Diminished brain function and impaired mental discernment deprive a person of his most valued asset and distinctive feature as a human. Regardless of the degree of impact, which may vary from individual to individual, Islam’s rules are across the board and universally applied. What is prohibited is prohibited for all; and what is prohibited in large quantity is also prohibited in small quantity, form, or shape.
When the injunction was revealed concerning the prohibition of intoxicants, the Prophet SAW ordered that those who had them should neither consume nor sell them, but rather destroy them. When asked if liquor might be given as a gift, he replied: “He Who has prohibited it has also required it not to be given away as a gift.” Another person asked if an intoxicant could be used as medicine. He responded: “Far from being a remedy for any malady it is itself a malady.” He added: “Allah has cursed khamr (wine) and him who drinks, him who provides it to others, him who buys or sells it, him who squeezes (the grapes) into wine, him who causes others to squeeze grapes (in order to make wine), him who carries it, and him to whom it is carried.” [Ahmad] He also instructed not to eat at a table where intoxicating drinks are being consumed. He expanded the prohibition of wine over all intoxicants by defining khamr: “Every intoxicant is khamr, and every intoxicant is prohibited.” He reinforced again: “Every drink which causes intoxication is prohibited. I forbid everything which intoxicates.” [Bukhari, Muslim, Daud, Ahmad]
The Prophet SAW has also enunciated the principle concerning anything prohibited: “If anything causes intoxication when used in large quantity, even a small quantity of it is prohibited.” [Daud, Majah, Ahmad] It should be noted that when Islam prohibits something deemed harmful for individuals or society in any sense, physical, moral or otherwise, it eradicates its source and blocks all potential exposures that might lead to the violation of that prohibition. This is a broad strategy applied across the board; all unlawful things are subject to it, such as usury (interest).
Alcohol drinking causes immense pain and sufferings to families and society. It is infectious and devastating. Due to its severity, the harmfulness of alcohol consumption has been discussed in the Qur’an three times and denounced as an act of Satan: “They question you about strong drinks and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness.” [Q, 2: 219] Gambling and all games of chance are equally destructive, unethical, and counterproductive in a zero-sum game. Gamblers, who look for free money through wasteful activity, don’t win and society foots the bill in the end. In the US, reports indicate, Federal, State and Local Governments spend nearly a trillion dollars a year to shovel up the consequences and human wreckage of substance abuse and addiction. Islam puts a total stop to this kind of devastation: “…Intoxicants, games of chance… are all admonitions, the handiwork of Satan. So turn wholly away from it so that you may flourish.” [Q, 5: 90]
It is hardly a coincidence that alcohol and gambling are lumped together each time the Qur’an denounces them. There is a strong association between them that scientific research has begun to uncover only recently: Many who gamble drink as well, and vice versa. On the light side, gambling and drinking for many go together as a way to socialize. In reality, both are unhealthy and wasteful social activities that detach a person from reality, pushing him onto a path of self-destruction and compulsive addiction that only intensifies with time. The combination of alcoholism and gambling addiction is especially dangerous as it can cause significant harm to the afflicted individuals and their families. The underlying reactions that are triggered in the brain when someone consumes alcohol, the clinical studies suggest, are very similar to when someone gambles. The way these two reactions can stack on each other makes the potential of alcoholism and gambling addiction as co-occurring disorders. People who are addicted to gambling may turn to alcohol to settle their nerves. Likewise, someone who suffers from alcoholism may seek comfort in a casino, where alcohol is provided for free to hype gamblers.
It has been found that many who struggle with alcoholism for years have a tendency to develop a gambling problem. This phenomenon is known in scientific circles as sequential alcoholism and gambling addictions. Others resort to abusing alcohol again as stresses increase from their gambling addiction. Once serious gambling consequences start to add up, they find themselves unable to resist the craving to drink. Establishing a statistical linkage between alcoholism and gambling, the clinical studies further report that 20% of people diagnosed with alcohol disorder also suffer from gambling addiction, leading to 20% of them attempting suicide. In Islam’s view, when it comes to tragedy, one is too many: “…he who slays a soul…shall be as if he had slain all mankind, and he who saves a life shall be as if he had given life to all mankind…” [Q, 5: 32]
The role of physical activity and exercise in maintaining health cannot be overstated. Both are important pieces of a healthy lifestyle and each contributes to our overall physical fitness. Physical activity is a movement that is carried out by the skeletal muscles that require energy. Any movement we do counts as physical activity, such as doing house and yard chores, playing with the kids, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Regardless of what types of moving around we do daily, those movements are beneficial to our overall well-being. Conversely, physical inactivity is a crucial risk factor for the development of many chronic health issues, including obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and breast and colon cancer.
Unlike physical activity, exercise refers to planned, structured, and repetitive movement with the goal of fitness improvements. Exercise can be seen as a subcategory of physical activity in a more specific form. For example, running on a treadmill, lifting weights, swimming, and more are all different forms of exercise. Exercise also helps improve physical fitness and is composed of five specific areas: Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength fitness, muscular endurance fitness, flexibility fitness, and body composition. Each of these components of exercise addresses important aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
Islam emphasizes the nourishment and maintenance of both spiritual and physical strength. It is not gender specific. A person cannot be at peace and live in a thoughtful manner without health is in order. Mental wellness is crucial, in particular, as Islam demands vigilance in every aspect of life. A person with an unhealthy brain cannot think normally and is not settled emotionally to adequately address the obligations Islam places on him. Being a natural way of life, physical exertion is built into most Islamic activities and lifestyles, including various forms of worship.
The leader of Islam was a model for every aspect of life. He was a very athletic individual – healthy, strong, and energetic. He used to regularly walk and participate in physical activities. This was surprising to his opponents who used to comment: “…What sort of Messenger is he that eats and walks in the markets…” [Q, 25: 7] Even in his daily life, the Prophet SAW used to walk briskly as if going downhill – like power-walk. He was a mountain hiker and camper who regularly spent days in a cave, named Hira, atop a very rugged mountain. He personally commanded numerous military campaigns to fight off enemy aggressions against his young Muslim community. He also used to participate in running races with his wife, Aisha. She reports: “I raced with the Prophet SAW and beat him in the race. Later, when I had put on some weight, we raced again and he won.” The Prophet said: “This is for that race.” [Dāūd]
Swimming, fencing, archery, foot racing, horse racing, and wrestling are some of the sports practiced during the Prophet’s time. He praised health-promoting physical activities and always encouraged his followers to participate in those sports. Specifically, three sports he advised parents to teach their children: “Teach your children swimming, archery, and horse riding.” [Musnad Ahmad] In another narration, the Prophet SAW suggested: “Practice archery and horseback riding.” [Muslim] In many other narrations, he referred to archery and swimming.
Expressing the importance of physical exercise, the Prophet SAW mentioned: “Any action without remembrance of Allah is either diversion or heedlessness excepting four acts: Walking from target to target (during archery practice), training a horse, playing with one’s family and learning to swim.” [Tabarani] All these activities are physical activities that promote one’s physical fitness and strength. Sports like baseball, football, soccer, basketball, and similar games, where players run between targets to score points, fall in the first category. These health activities are so important for a Muslim that they themselves are considered forms of worship, not diversions. Preparation for worship is itself considered worship, like wudu (ablution) for salat (prayers). The Islamic lifestyle demands physical exertion, including walking, running, and other physically stressful activities. This applies to both genders within their respective spheres.
Medically it is now established that regular physical exercise is vital for improving cardiovascular health as well as improving energy levels. Moderate-intensity exercise is what makes a person breathe more heavily than usual. This could take the form of a brisk walk or swimming as encouraged and demonstrated by the Messenger of Allah SWT. His message is clear: “A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one though in both is good. Keenly pursue what benefits you, seek help only from Allah, and do not give up.” [Bukhari, Muslim] The former can strive more vigorously than the latter in the way of Allah SWT and fulfill the mission of his existence. Do what is best for your health. Once Caliph Omar noticed a person walking very humbly, like a weak person. He asked him if he was sick. He said: No. The Caliph then admonished him to walk straight with his head up. Islam is not weak, he said proudly.
Within our capacity, we must do the right things to take care of our physical and mental wellness. Obviously, we do not have full control over our body functions and things may still go wrong. Should we fall sick, as is statistically expected occasionally to most of us, we should seek medical care, if necessary, before relying on Allah SWT. Saving a life is mandatory and, per the advice of the Prophet SAW, we first need to do what we can: “Tie your camel first and then put your trust in Allah.” [Tirmidhī] Once some Arabs came to the Prophet SAW and asked: “Should we make use of medical treatment for any disease?” He replied: “Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not created a disease without creating a cure for it except for one.” They asked which one. He replied “Old age.” [Daud]
In closing, to the exclusion of all other species, Allah SWT has granted man a uniquely exalted position in His Kingdom: “…We honored the progeny of Adam, and bore them across land and sea and provided them with tayyab (good) things for their sustenance, and exalted them above many of Our creatures.” [Q, 17: 70] Man is gifted with exceptional capabilities and freedom to rise to the highest level of moral excellence in this physical world. The process of taharah for moral excellence begins with kalima tayyab and continues through the life cycle of a person. The culmination of purification of belief, body, mind, and social and moral environment is a noble conduct that fulfills the purpose of his existence: “…We have made all that is on the earth an embellishment for it in order to test people as to who of them is better in conduct.” [Q, 18: 7]
Personal hygiene, a healthy and balanced diet, protection of physical and mental health, and a clean environment are critical components of this process. Individually and collectively, they lead a person in the direction of his human glory. The Prophet SAW was very athletic. He has stressed physical exertion for health and wellness. Specifically, he pointed to a physical activity that involves walking from target to target. In today’s sports world, examples of such an activity would be soccer and basketball. Essentially, all efforts directed to boost physical fitness for staying active and effective fall in the line of duty: “…Your body has a right over you….” [Bukhari]
Islamic Point of View 