.. or does this Islamic thinking on alcohol seem pointless?

[DefinitelyMaybePossibly]

A group of us from work went out for lunch today. One of our group asked if we were drinking alcohol, because if we were, our Muslim colleague couldn't come. It wasn't an issue because none of us were. Since we went to a restaurant where all customers, even if in separate groups sit around the same long tables, other customers on our table were consuming alcohol. AIBU to think it's a bit pointless theologically to make a point of only coming if your group don't drink alcohol when others sitting as close or even closer are drinking?

I have been out with other muslim friends and alcohol consumption hasn't been an issue. So perhaps someone with an Islamic background can explain the theological thinking here.

whether they know or not that they shouldn't profit from alcohol is t the issue here, it's the denouncing of it but at the same time selling it that is hypocritical. That's what the poster meant

Violet, Is this really an issue to you?

I don’t ‘denounce’ alcohol, I don’t think people who drink it are evil. I think it can be an evil substance if abused, yes. As I said my best friends drink, should I not be friends with them?

I didn’t want to get into detail but seeing as you see this as an ‘issue’ I’ll explain.

In the Quran Allah says that there is SOME good in alcohol (and gambling), but the bad far outweighs the good and therefore we are not allowed to consume alcohol or partake in gambling at all. We are not allowed to consume anything that intoxicates the mind. It’s not about people who drink alcohol or alcohol itself being ‘evil’. Step away from the Britain first propaganda that you’re most likely indulging in.

So from a shopkeepers view - yes, they are not allowed to consume alcohol, but if they don’t know selling it is impermissible then I can completely understand why they would sell it. We live in a western country, people choose to drink and by selling it they are not consuming it, which is the prohibited act that is directly mentioned in the Quran.

violetsue - I just thought I'd run through some of the things Christianity definitely has in its writing, which I'm pretty sure you, as a Christian, are not abiding to. Since apparently not following any dictate of your religion, whether you know about it or not, makes you a hypocrite.

You realise when someone parps up with "what about the christians?" in the Uk its like saying "Oh so do white lives not matter then?"

So if some old scriptures said one was allowed to consume something that intoxicates the mind would that make it ok?
Can't one think for oneself?

You realise when someone parps up with "what about the christians?" in the Uk its like saying "Oh so do white lives not matter then?

This.

So if some old scriptures said one was allowed to consume something that intoxicates the mind would that make it ok?
Can't one think for oneself?

One can think for oneself. One decided to convert to Islam. One trusts that what one believes is God’s word is what is best and correct for one.

I love these threads because while they are obviously started to be goady, I always end up learning more about Islam and come away a little bit more enlightened about different religions.

That was the effect you were hoping for, right OP?

Gosh. I wonder if my Roman Catholic friends/ family want me to remove my coil before eating with them

Most definitely. I couldn't possibly lunch with you knowing it was there Better remove mine, while I'm at it ..... Apologies if I'm bring somewhat irreverent but the above post made me smile

So if I am having lunch with a vegetarian I have to eat veg too.

Or so it sounds to me.

I love these threads because while they are obviously started to be goady, I always end up learning more about Islam and come away a little bit more enlightened about different religions

That was the effect you were hoping for, right OP?

What an pointless comment Lethaldrizzle we choose to believe and follow it. Some don't. We aren't mindless robots.