Islamic Moral Education IV – Prohibition of Bribery, Stealing & Intoxicants in Islam SS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

Prohibition of bribery, corruption and stealing 

Allah says: “And do not consume your wealth among yourselves wrongfully, nor offer it (as bribe) to judges so that you may (sinfully) consume a part of (other) people’s wealth, and that knowingly. Bribery means giving a gift in return for official favours. Corruption is a broader team covering not only bribery but all forms of official misconduct in return for gifts or services or agreements of any kind, not necessarily material. 

Harmful effects of bribery and corruption 

1. Poor people lose their rights because they have no money with which to bribe. 
2. Honest people lose their rights because they refuse to offer bribes.
3. People get into the habit of refusing to do the work they are paid for without additional bribes. 

Stealing normally refers to direct removal of another person’s property without permission. Allah says: “As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands . It is the reward of their own deed, an exemplary punishment from Allah. And Allah is mighty, wise.” 

PROHIBITION OF GAMBLING, INTOXICANTS AND DRUG ABUSE 

Gambling 

O you who attained to faith! Intoxicants and games of chance, and idolatrous practices, and the dividing of the future are all but a loathsome evil of Satan’s doing: Shun it, then, So that you might attain a happy State! (Qur’an 5:90) 

What is gambling? Gambling means betting money or property on the outcome of a game or an event. Basically if you win you collect other people’s money, and if you lose they collect your money, it may be a private game of cards played for money, or it may be organised gambling in a Casino, or football pools, or betting on horse races, or a lottery or raffle, or bingo, or gambling machines. 

What is the harm of gambling? 

1. It sows enmity and hatred among men. 
2. It hinders remembrance of Allah and prayer. 
3. Gambling with some people becomes a disease. 
4. Gambling in most cases leads to loss. 

Prohibition of intoxicant and drug abuse Aisha reported that Allah’s Messenger said: All intoxicating liquors are forbidden. (Hadith from Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Da’ud, Tirmidhi, Nasai and Ibn Majah). 

Definition of intoxicants 

The Islamic prohibition of intoxicants covers all kinds of drinks and drugs which change a person’s mental state and behaviour. It includes wine, beer, spirits and all other forms of alcoholic drinks. It also includes heroin, opium, cocaine, cannabis (indian hemp), LSD, amphetamines, glue sniffing and other drugs that may have a genuine medical use but are converted to intoxicants by drug abusers.

 Harmful effects of alcohol and drugs 

1. They cause the person taking them to feel and behave differently.
2. He is liable to quarrel and behave violently, fight, commit adultery or even murder. 
3. Accidental overdoses of alcohol or drugs can poison the body and kill a person in a short time. 
4. Alcohol and drugs being addictive. 
5. It is very difficult to cure addicts.