Faith vs. Prohibition: The True Solution to Alcohol Addiction

The U.S. government banned alcohol in 1920 

It cannot be denied that many important methods are used to treat alcohol addiction. Doctors or physicians have to make great efforts to help patients who are addicted to alcohol. However, I believe that instead of focusing solely on treatment methods, it is more important to address the root cause—which is weak faith. 

This weakness has led Muslims to this problem. Alcohol is a sign of the decline and downfall of Islamic society. The real solution is to awaken faith and religious awareness within the Islamic community. Without returning to Islamic teachings, no other strategy can be truly effective. 

The True Solution to Alcohol Addiction

The United States, which is considered the most developed country in the world, conducted a historic experiment: 

In 1920, the U.S. government banned alcohol. This was a major step toward moral reform and societal improvement, an experiment that may have no parallel in human history. The government used its full authority and power to enforce this law. Before announcing the ban, a massive campaign was launched across the country against alcohol. 

To enforce the prohibition, the government carried out raids on the buying and selling of alcohol and formed a committee to spread awareness. This committee worked through sermons, magazines, books, and films to educate people about the harms of alcohol. This campaign lasted for ten years. 

• $6.5 million was spent on media publications before the ban.

• A total of 90 million pages of material were published to highlight the harms of alcohol.

• From 1920 to 1934 (14 years), the total cost of this campaign was £4.5 million. 

This vast number of resources and strict enforcement measures were used to eliminate alcohol from society. However, despite these efforts, the results of the experiment showed that enforcing such a ban was extremely challenging. 

According to the statement of the U.S. court, the enforcement of this law resulted in:

• 200 people being killed

• 500,000 people being imprisoned

• Fines amounting to £1 million

• Property worth approximately £40 million being confiscated 

The U.S. government endured these financial and human losses solely to educate its people about the physical, moral, and economic harms of alcohol. However, despite this massive effort, the nation gained nothing but failure and losses. 

• If the government shut down one liquor store, thousands of illegal ones opened in secret.

• Young boys and girls started purchasing alcohol from these hidden stores.

• The price of alcohol increased drastically compared to before the ban.

• The number of alcohol consumers increased nearly tenfold.

• The quality of smuggled alcohol was extremely poor and dangerous to health, leading doctors to call it poison instead of alcohol. 

The consequences were alarming. For example, in New York City: 

• In 1918 (before the ban), alcohol-related illnesses were reported in 3,741 cases, and 252 people died. 

• By 1927 (after the ban), the number of patients rose to 11,000, and 7,500 people died due to toxic alcohol. 

However, historical records do show that the enforcement of Prohibition led to significant legal and social challenges. The U.S. Supreme Court addressed several cases related to Prohibition enforcement: 

1. National Prohibition Cases (1920): The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act, affirming the federal government's authority to enforce Prohibition. 

2. Olmstead v. United States (1928): This case involved the use of wiretapped private telephone conversations obtained without judicial approval as evidence, leading to discussions about the methods used in enforcing Prohibition laws. 

• Federal Judicial Center 

• Supreme Court Cases

The moral condition worsened, and crimes spread throughout society, affecting the younger generation the most. Finally, when the results of this moral law turned out to be the opposite of what was intended, the ban on alcohol was lifted in 1933. All these dangerous consequences emerged in a country considered the most advanced in civilization and culture, where people had the greatest ability to distinguish between benefit and harm. 

Now, let us turn our attention to a region that, fourteen centuries ago, during one of the darkest periods in history, was the most ignorant of all. The people there were unrefined and illiterate, with no trace of knowledge or wisdom. Civilization and culture were non-existent. Out of ten thousand people, perhaps only one could read or write. The inhabitants were so devoted to alcohol that they would even sacrifice their honor for it. In their language, alcohol had over 250 different names. It was so deeply ingrained in their lives that they could not imagine living without it. 

This was the state of people in the Arabian Peninsula before the advent of Islam. But when the light of Prophethood spread and Islamic law gradually began restricting alcohol consumption, it was eventually declared completely forbidden. Upon hearing this command, the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) unanimously proclaimed, "O our Lord! We have given up alcohol forever." 

• Tirmidhi – Chapter of Tafsir. 

• Bukhari – Book of Drinks, Chapter on the Revelation of the Prohibition of Alcohol. 

One of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the prohibition of alcohol was enforced, there was nothing more beloved and pleasurable to the Arabs than alcohol, and no restriction had been more difficult for them. Yet, despite this, they overturned their barrels of alcohol onto the streets, abandoning it completely. 

Volume 7, Book 69, Number 488 

Narrated Anas bin Malik: 

I was serving Abu 'Ubaida, Abu Talha, and Ubai bin Ka'b with a drink prepared from ripe and unripe dates. Then somebody came to them and said, "Alcoholic drinks have been prohibited." (On hearing that) Abu Talha said, "Get up. O Anas, and pour (throw) it out! So I poured (threw) it out. 

Some people even smashed their pots along with the alcohol, while others thoroughly washed them with water and mud. For a long time, traces of alcohol remained in the streets of Madinah. Whenever it rained, the color of alcohol would emerge in the streets, and its smell would spread in the air. 

• 5:90- "O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful. 
• 5:91- "Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?". 

Surah Al-Maidah Al-Qur'an 5:90-91. 

Summary of the Effects of Prohibition in the U.S. 

1. Respect for the law disappeared as people no longer feared legal authority, creating a rebellious atmosphere in society. 

2. The ban failed to achieve its purpose—instead of reducing alcohol consumption, it significantly increased it. 

3. The government suffered massive losses due to enforcement costs, which damaged the economy. 

4. Alcohol smuggling became highly profitable, leading to huge financial losses for the nation and harming the economy. 

5. Diseases and deaths increased far beyond the numbers seen before the ban.

In the end, Prohibition caused more harm than good, making it clear that simply banning alcohol was not an effective solution. 

Conclusion 

The reaction to the prohibition of alcohol in America and the Arabian Peninsula shows that the success of any reform plan or program depends on the strength of faith. It is faith that brings about righteous actions, good character, and all noble virtues. No one can get rid of bad habits unless they adopt Islamic teachings. All the modern treatments available for overcoming alcohol addiction are secondary. The fundamental cure is that a person’s heart should be filled with the love of Allah and His greatness should be deeply rooted within. 

Final Impact: 

Prohibition was meant to reduce crime and improve health, but it failed. Instead, it caused more problems. However, it led to new alcohol laws, like setting a minimum drinking age and controlling alcohol sales.