Shaykh Ibn Baz explains that the prohibition of alcohol (khamr) in Islam is absolute and based on clear, decisive texts from the Qur'an and Sunnah. The primary reason for this prohibition is the immense harm intoxicants cause to an individual's religion, mind, body, and society.

Allah the Almighty explicitly forbade it in the Qur'an, describing it as 'defilement from the work of Satan' and commanding believers to avoid it to attain success. The verses highlight the wisdom behind the prohibition, stating that Satan uses intoxicants to sow 'animosity and hatred' among people and to 'avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer.'

Shaykh Ibn Baz clarifies that the term 'khamr' is general. It refers to any substance that 'covers' or clouds the intellect (from the root verb 'khamara'), regardless of its origin—be it from grapes, dates, barley, or other sources. Therefore, any drink or substance that causes intoxication falls under this prohibition. As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated, 'Every intoxicant is khamr, and every intoxicant is haram.'

The severity of this sin is further emphasized by the hadith in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed not only the one who drinks alcohol but everyone involved in its production, trade, and distribution. This comprehensive curse indicates that any cooperation in the sin is also haram.

Thus, alcohol is forbidden because it is the 'mother of all evils' (umm al-khaba'ith), leading to the neglect of religious duties, the commission of other sins, the loss of reason and dignity, and widespread social corruption. The Shari'ah came to protect the five necessities, one of the most important of which is the intellect ('aql), and the prohibition of alcohol is a cornerstone of this protection.