The chapter on the punishment of one who drinks intoxicants and does not repent from them by being deprived of them in the Hereafter

The questioner : It is difficult for him, O Shaykh, that if the punishment is being forbidden from Paradise, and there is no deficiency in Paradise, does that mean we say that he is forbidden from it but does not feel this deprivation, like the people of Paradise when they are with Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)?

The Shaykh : A good question. Does this one who drank intoxicants in this world is he deprived of it forever, or for a period? And if he is deprived of it, does he see it and is thus forbidden from it, or does he not see it? It appears that he remains desiring it, because if his desire were turned away from it, it would not be a punishment. As for whether it lasts or not, it appears, and Allah knows best, that this is according to the person's persistence. If he persists in being addicted to intoxicants until he dies, his reward is that he remains [deprived] forever. And if he repents before that, then Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) But the whole matter must be known to be under the will of Allah; if Allah wills, He will pardon him and not punish him.