What is the reason for the prohibition of a small amount that does not intoxicate?
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The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, exactly. Because it is a means to something that is forbidden in itself, but it is forbidden because it is a means. However, this drink currently does not intoxicate not because it lacks intoxicating power; it has the power to intoxicate, but the person did not become intoxicated because of the small amount he consumed. Now, does the large amount of this drink intoxicate? The drink itself is intoxicating, or is it not? It has the power to intoxicate, but if you take a small part of it, it does not... not because it is not intoxicating, but because of the small amount taken. So we say that what intoxicates in large quantities is itself forbidden. It is currently forbidden because it is suitable for intoxication; it has the power to intoxicate. ... Certainly, there are currently medicines mixed with alcohol, meaning it is necessary that they are mixed, but it is a small part and does not have an effect unless one eats a large amount of them, except for their other material strength.
The Shaykh : Yes, exactly. Because it is a means to something that is forbidden in itself, but it is forbidden because it is a means. However, this drink currently does not intoxicate not because it lacks intoxicating power; it has the power to intoxicate, but the person did not become intoxicated because of the small amount he consumed. Now, does the large amount of this drink intoxicate? The drink itself is intoxicating, or is it not? It has the power to intoxicate, but if you take a small part of it, it does not... not because it is not intoxicating, but because of the small amount taken. So we say that what intoxicates in large quantities is itself forbidden. It is currently forbidden because it is suitable for intoxication; it has the power to intoxicate. ... Certainly, there are currently medicines mixed with alcohol, meaning it is necessary that they are mixed, but it is a small part and does not have an effect unless one eats a large amount of them, except for their other material strength.