Book 36: The Book Of Drinks
Overview
Sahih Muslim Book 36 (The Book of Drinks) serves as a foundational text for Islamic dietary law and daily etiquette. The text begins by documenting the historical transition from the permissibility of alcohol to its absolute prohibition. It recounts the chaotic pre-prohibition era, highlighted by an incident where a drunken Hamza slaughters 'Ali's camels, before detailing the definitive command to spill all wine in Medina. The text meticulously regulates the preparation of 'Nabidh' (steeped fruit water), explicitly forbidding the mixing of certain fruits (like grapes and dates) and the use of specific vessels (gourds, varnished jars) to prevent accidental fermentation, though the restriction on vessels is later abrogated provided the drink remains non-intoxicating. Beyond alcohol, the text establishes a highly physical framework for spiritual warfare and daily living. Adherents are commanded to eat and drink exclusively with the right hand, as Satan is said to eat with his left. The text mandates mentioning Allah's name to prevent Satan from partaking in meals or lodging in homes, and requires licking one's fingers and the dish to ensure the 'blessing' (barakah) is consumed rather than left for the devil. Furthermore, the text contains numerous accounts of Muhammad miraculously multiplying food and water to feed large crowds, emphasizing his prophetic authority and the high cultural value placed on extreme hospitality, even to the point of personal starvation.
Key Figures
- Muhammad (Allah's Messenger) - The central authority figure, lawgiver, and miracle worker whose commands and habits establish the Sunnah (normative practice) for all Muslims.
- Satan (Shaitan) - Presented as a literal, physical adversary who eats with his left hand, consumes dropped food, and seeks lodging in homes where Allah's name is not mentioned.
- Anas b. Malik - A prominent narrator and the cup-bearer who physically spilled the alcohol in Medina upon hearing of its prohibition; a key witness to food multiplication miracles.
- Abu Talha - A companion whose hospitality and faith are highlighted in a major food multiplication miracle where Muhammad feeds seventy to eighty men from a few barley loaves.
- Jabir b. 'Abdullah - A frequent narrator who hosted Muhammad during the Battle of the Trench, witnessing a massive food multiplication miracle.
- Abu Huraira - A prolific narrator who transmits key theological concepts, including the assertion that a believer eats in one intestine while a non-believer eats in seven.
- Hamza b. 'Abd al-Muttalib - Muhammad's uncle, whose severe drunken aggression against 'Ali's camels serves as the textual catalyst demonstrating the destructive nature of alcohol prior to its prohibition.
- Gabriel - The archangel who, during the Night Journey, praises Muhammad for choosing milk over wine, equating milk with the 'true nature' (Fitrah).
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Absolute Prohibition of Intoxicants (Khamr)
Assertion
Every intoxicant is classified as Khamr, and every form of Khamr is strictly forbidden. Consumption in this life forfeits pure drink in the Hereafter unless repented of.
Evidence from Text
Every intoxicant is Khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden. He who drinks wine in this world and dies while he is addicted to it, not having repented, will not be given a drink in the Hereafter.
Evangelical Comparison
In Islamic theology, the substance of alcohol itself is deemed unlawful (haram), and its prohibition is absolute, extending even to its use as medicine ('It is no medicine, but an ailment'). This is a matter of strict legal obedience required for spiritual standing. In contrast, Evangelical Christianity teaches that alcohol is a part of God's creation and can be consumed in moderation (Psalm 104:15, 1 Timothy 5:23). Jesus Himself miraculously created wine at Cana (John 2) and instituted the Lord's Supper with the fruit of the vine. The biblical prohibition is strictly against the abuse of alcohol—drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 20:1)—rather than the substance itself. The Islamic view represents a legalistic boundary that contradicts the New Testament teaching that dietary consumption does not defile a person (Mark 7:15).
Physicality of Spiritual Warfare and Blessing
Assertion
Satan physically participates in human meals if Allah's name is not mentioned, eats with his left hand, and consumes dropped morsels. Conversely, divine blessing (barakah) physically resides in unknown portions of the food, necessitating the licking of fingers and dishes.
Evidence from Text
The Satan is present with any one of you in everything he does; he is present even when he eats food; so if any one of you drops a mouthful he should remove away anything filthy on it and eat it and not leave for the devil; and when he finishes (food) he should lick his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of his food the blessing lies.
Evangelical Comparison
This text presents a highly animistic and physical view of the spiritual realm. Satan is depicted as a literal scavenger who eats with a specific hand and consumes dropped crumbs, while God's blessing is treated as a physical substance hidden within the food that must be mechanically retrieved by licking fingers. Evangelical Christianity, based on the New Testament, views spiritual warfare as a battle of truth, faith, and righteousness (Ephesians 6:10-18). Satan is a spiritual adversary who tempts and deceives, not a physical pest stealing unblessed food. Furthermore, biblical blessing is the unmerited favor and grace of God, not a physical residue. Jesus explicitly taught that physical food goes into the stomach and is expelled, having no bearing on spiritual purity (Mark 7:18-19).
Ontological Difference in Digestion
Assertion
A believer physically processes food differently than a non-believer, requiring vastly less sustenance.
Evidence from Text
A believer eats in one intestine, whereas a non-believer eats in seven intestines.
Evangelical Comparison
The Hadith asserts a literal, biological distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims, claiming that faith alters the physical digestive tract or capacity (one intestine vs. seven). This is used to explain why a non-Muslim guest drank the milk of seven goats, but only one after converting. Evangelical Christianity holds that all humans share the same fallen physical nature and biology, regardless of their spiritual state (Matthew 5:45). Spiritual regeneration transforms the heart and mind (Ezekiel 36:26, Romans 12:2), but does not alter human anatomy or caloric requirements. This Islamic doctrine conflates spiritual state with physical biology in a way entirely absent from biblical theology.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
Islam regulates external, physical behaviors (diet, hand usage, licking fingers) as primary metrics of spiritual obedience and demonic avoidance. Evangelical Christianity teaches that true defilement and purity are internal matters of the heart, having been freed from external dietary laws by Christ.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this Hadith and Evangelical Christianity centers on the nature of the New Covenant and the abrogation of legalism. In this text, Islam constructs a highly rigid, externalized system of piety. Spiritual safety and divine blessing are contingent upon mechanical actions: eating exclusively with the right hand, licking one's fingers to capture physical 'blessing,' covering vessels to prevent demonic interference, and strictly avoiding any substance that could intoxicate. This represents a return to, and expansion of, the kind of legalistic yoke that the New Testament explicitly dismantles. Evangelical Christianity, rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles, asserts that the Kingdom of God is 'not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). Jesus declared all foods clean, emphasizing that defilement comes from the heart, not the stomach (Mark 7:15-19). The Apostle Paul warned against false teachings that demand 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!' regarding things that perish with use, noting that such regulations have an appearance of wisdom but lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence (Colossians 2:20-23). The Hadith's insistence on these external regulations directly contradicts the biblical doctrine of Christian liberty and justification by faith alone.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a cup. Islam teaches that to please God, you must hold the cup with your right hand, make sure it's not a specific type of green cup, and never put any alcohol in it, or else the devil might drink with you. Jesus teaches something very different. Jesus says that God doesn't care about which hand you use or what kind of food goes into your stomach, because food just goes in and out of your body. What God cares about is what comes out of your heart—like your words, your love, and your thoughts. Jesus made us clean on the inside, so we don't have to worry about all these little rules about hands and cups anymore.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text establishes binding divine laws (how to eat, what to drink, how to sleep) based on oral traditions compiled centuries later, adding heavily to the closed canon of Scripture.
Christian Liberty / New Covenant
The text imposes strict dietary laws and physical rituals, directly contradicting Colossians 2:16 and Mark 7:19, which declare believers free from such external regulations.
Theology Proper / Spiritual Warfare
Reduces spiritual warfare to physical mechanics (right vs. left hand, covering pots) rather than moral and spiritual reliance on Christ's victory.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Blessing (Barakah)"
In This Text
A physical, localized favor from God that resides in an unknown portion of a meal, requiring the believer to lick their fingers and the dish to ensure it is consumed.
In Evangelicalism
The spiritual favor, grace, and provision of God bestowed upon believers, not a physical substance hidden in food (Ephesians 1:3).
"Satan"
In This Text
A physical pest who eats with his left hand, consumes dropped morsels of food, and sleeps in houses if a specific phrase is not uttered.
In Evangelicalism
A powerful spiritual adversary who tempts, deceives, and accuses believers, operating in the spiritual realm rather than scavenging physical food (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:12).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Escaping the punishment of Hell (such as drinking Tinat al-Khabal, the sweat of the denizens of Hell) and attaining pure drink in the Hereafter.
How Attained: Through obedience to Islamic law, specifically avoiding forbidden acts like consuming intoxicants, and repenting if one fails.
Basis of Assurance: Strict adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet in all matters, including the minutiae of daily life.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text stands in stark contrast to Sola Fide. It implies that a specific behavioral failure (drinking wine without repenting) directly forfeits heavenly rewards. Evangelicalism teaches that salvation is secured entirely by Christ's finished work and received by faith alone (Romans 8:1), not maintained by dietary perfection.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Spill all liquor/wine.
- Break pitchers containing liquor.
- Do not mix fresh dates and grapes to prepare Nabidh.
- Do not mix fresh dates and unripe dates to prepare Nabidh.
- Do not mix dry dates and fresh dates to prepare Nabidh.
- Prepare Nabidh from each fruit separately.
- Do not prepare Nabidh in a gourd.
- Do not prepare Nabidh in a varnished jar.
- Do not prepare Nabidh in a green pitcher besmeared with pitch.
- Do not prepare Nabidh in a hollow stump.
- Prepare Nabidh in small waterskins and tie the mouth.
- Do not drink any intoxicant.
- Cover vessels.
- Tie waterskins.
- Close the doors at night.
- Extinguish the lamps at night.
- Place a piece of wood across the vessel if nothing else is found to cover it.
- Restrain children from going out when the sun sets until the darkest part of the night is over.
- Mention the name of Allah when closing doors.
- Mention the name of Allah when tying waterskins.
- Mention the name of Allah when covering utensils.
- Do not leave the fire burning in your houses when you go to sleep.
- Mention the name of Allah when entering the house.
- Mention the name of Allah while eating food.
- Do not eat with the left hand.
- Eat with the right hand.
- Do not drink with the left hand.
- Drink with the right hand.
- Do not take up anything with the left hand.
- Do not give anything with the left hand.
- Eat from what is near to you in the dish.
- Do not turn waterskins upside down and drink from their mouths.
- Do not drink while standing.
- Vomit if you forget and drink while standing.
- Do not breathe in a vessel while drinking.
- Breathe three times outside the vessel in the course of a drink.
- Give drink to the one on the right first, then the next on the right.
- Do not wipe your hand after eating until you have licked it or had it licked.
- Lick the three fingers used for eating.
- Lick the dish.
- Pick up a dropped mouthful of food.
- Remove any filth from a dropped mouthful and eat it.
- Do not leave dropped food for the Satan.
- Do not eat two dates together without seeking the consent of your companions.
- Pluck only the black fruit of the Arak tree.
Implicit Obligations
- Demonstrate extreme hospitality, even to the point of personal starvation.
- Accept the Prophet's dietary preferences (e.g., pumpkin, vinegar) as highly virtuous.
- Avoid eating garlic if one expects to be in the presence of angels or the Prophet, due to its odor.
- Obey the Prophet's commands immediately and without question (as seen when Anas immediately spills the wine).
Ritual Requirements
- Reciting 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) before eating, drinking, entering a home, or securing household items to ward off Satan.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- I noticed the Hadith places a lot of emphasis on eating with the right hand because Satan eats with the left. How does focusing on which hand you use affect your daily relationship with God?
- Jesus taught that it's not what goes into our mouths that defiles us, but what comes out of our hearts. What are your thoughts on the idea that true purity is internal rather than based on dietary rules?
- The stories of the Prophet multiplying food are fascinating. Have you ever read the account in the Injil (Gospel) where Jesus multiplies the bread and then declares that He Himself is the 'Bread of Life'?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Multiplication of Food
Muslims already respect the concept of God miraculously providing food through a prophet. This can bridge directly to Jesus feeding the 5000. However, Jesus takes it a step further: He doesn't just provide physical bread; He claims to *be* the Bread of Life that provides eternal salvation.
Extreme Hospitality and Substitution
This beautiful picture of self-sacrifice for the sake of another is a shadow of the Gospel. Just as the Ansari gave up his sustenance so the guest could live, Jesus Christ gave up His life, taking our spiritual starvation and death upon Himself, so that we could feast at God's table.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is placed under a heavy burden of constant physical monitoring. Every meal requires hyper-vigilance: Am I using the right hand? Did I say the exact phrase? Did I lick my fingers? Did I drop a crumb that Satan might eat? This creates a religion of exhausting physical scrupulosity rather than restful faith.
The text instills a literal fear of demonic invasion in mundane activities. Forgetting to say 'Bismillah' when closing a door or taking a bite of food means Satan is literally sleeping in one's house or eating one's meal. This breeds a fear-based relationship with the spiritual realm.