Why do we not treat Sobia and beer as the same, given that both are made from barley juice, considering that Shaykh Ibn Baz stated that beer is free of alcohol?

The questioner : The questioner asks: Why do we not equate Sobia drink and beer, given that both are made from barley juice, considering that Shaykh Ibn Baz stated that beer is free of alcohol?

The Shaykh : First, I criticize this questioner for singling out a specific person in such a context. I never agree with anyone mentioning a specific scholar or non-scholar to me, because saying "so-and-so said this" and "so-and-so said that" in such a place is not proper conduct. It is fine to say "it was said such and such" without specifying the name. However, specifying a person, whether from the people of knowledge or not, in this context is something I never forgive and do not agree with. This questioner is asking about beer. What is the second name, Ya Ali?

The questioner : Sobia.

The Shaykh : I do not know Sobia.

The questioner : It is known in Jeddah among the people of Jeddah, and it is a barley drink.

The Shaykh : In any case, I will give you a rule that Allah has given us, and He said: So everything on earth is permissible for us. If someone claims that a thing is forbidden, we say to him: bring the evidence, otherwise your claim is rejected and refuted. As for this beer, which is a barley infusion, what is its original ruling? Its original ruling is permissibility and lawfulness, unless we know with certainty that it intoxicates, in which case it becomes forbidden. But if someone says that a small amount does not intoxicate while a large amount does, is the small amount forbidden? Yes, it is forbidden, because it was reported in a hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Because if a thing’s large amount intoxicates while its small amount does not, then if one consumes the small amount, he may consume the large amount. As far as I know about this beer, it does not intoxicate, even if a person consumes a lot of it. Some people say that if one drinks ten jars, he will become intoxicated, but this is not correct. If one drinks ten jars, his stomach will swell and he will feel discomfort, but to say he becomes intoxicated is not correct. Any person who fills his stomach with drink may feel dizzy, but that is not intoxication. We say that the original ruling for beer and other foods and drinks is permissibility, until evidence of prohibition is established. I advise my brothers present here, I advise them against rushing in these matters and forbidding what is lawful, because forbidding what is lawful is more severe than permitting what is forbidden, if they are not equal. Forbidding what is lawful is more severe because it restricts Allah’s servants in what Allah has made lawful for them, whereas permitting what is forbidden—someone might say, "I permit the forbidden because it is easier for people," for example—but it is not easier. However, forbidding what is lawful is a great matter. We sometimes hear that some people say there is pork fat in some soap, and some cheese also contains pork fat, and some toothpaste contains such and such. All of these may be false advertisements spread by some companies to harm other companies. As someone I trust, and I do not specify his name, but I tell you that I trust him, said that this was found in Egypt. Specifying the country is not like specifying a person. There were publications saying this thing contains such and such, and that thing contains such and such, and upon investigation, it was found that they were companies harming each other. These matters—I mean that we spread among people that the thing they are consuming is forbidden—necessarily lead to one of two dangers: either people forbid the thing while it is lawful, or they consume it while believing it is forbidden, and this is wrong. Or, scrupulousness remains wavering and doubtful about their matter. It is not permissible for a person to forbid anything whose original ruling is permissibility except with evidence from the Shari'ah. I think the issue is now clear, and the summary of the answer is that beer and Sobia are lawful unless clear evidence of their prohibition is established.