Muslims, Alcohol & Deception
Whenever I see adverts for alcohol, I always marvel at the beautiful background scenery and I admire the handsome men and the stunning women depicted.
The advert draws you into an idealic world, a scene from heaven. Their social abilities: their graceful movements, the songs sung, the jokes cracked are all so surreal- so euphoric.
Unfortunately, the perfect scenes reflected in these adverts do not come remotely close to resembling actual boozing parties.
The stark reality of the situation is quite the opposite regardless of wether the people involved are educated or not. Real people have the unquenchable need to drink for the sake of getting drunk and once accomplishing this incredibly futile feat they are left unable to walk straight, they loose any ability to speak without slurring, stuttering and repeating themselves to the extent of becoming completely incoherent, and to really out-do themselves, they might even puke and urinate all over the place.
To the detriment of any sober company present they unwittingly use vulgar language which more often than not results in heated arguments and brawls. In their drunken state their courage-cum-confidence- cum-stupidity swells enough for them to insist that they are in control and entirely capable of any deed such as driving, or going for a swim, even if they cannot swim at all.
If they survive to greet the next day, it is only to endure one miserable morning overcoming the effects of a near unbearable “hang over”. Then there are those unfortunate souls that become trapped in a vicious cycle, who even if they try, can’t help but loose control and become enslaved to the bottle.
They live for the next drink, inevitably destroying not only their own lives, but those of the people they love, to end up living as hobos in filth and squalor.
In recent years, organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medical Research Council of South Africa have undertaken extensive research into the outcomes of alcohol use and the picture that is emerging is pretty grim.
Millions of people are dying each year due to alcohol use and millions more of the innocent people associated with alcoholics are suffering from the trauma of physical and emotional abuse.
When one considers these scientific implications then the logical conclusion is that alcohol is by far the worst drug and it is one of the most threatening vices facing humanity.
In its report (WHO) states that it is now up to the Non profit organizations and non governmental organizations to inform people of the problems created by alcohol and to initiate changes in their respective societies.
We as Muslims can make a difference in changing images portrayed by these misleading adverts and we can also take steps to stopping the sale of alcohol completely.
As Muslims we spend a lot on charity but its not used efficiently. We supposed to have one Islamic Organisation that fights such issues using the main stream media as well.
We must start up lobby groups which enlighten society of the dangers associated with alcohol and these groups can push governments to change the laws concerning the advertising and sale of alcohol. We can fight back using their own techniques.
Lobby groups are very successful in democratic countries such as ours. A glance back at our recent history highlights the changes that lobby group working against cigarettes have implemented.
Advertising for cigarettes are now banned and smoking is restricted in public places. Do you know that there was a lobby group fighting for the prohibition of alcohol in America in the 18th century and they succeed to get alcohol prohibited in thirteen states of America.
Today it could be an undoubtedly simpler task to accomplish due to the large amount of information and scientific proof available that impresses how harmful alcohol is, not just to the individual that partakes of it but to our society as a whole.
Islam teaches us to serve humanity and to fight oppression and wrong. This is a perfect opportunity for our wealthy Muslim organizations to do something good and to teach people the values of right and wrong. Even if just one single person is saved from this misery, it would be an outstanding achievement.
Similarly, there is the evident moral decay in our country which we as Muslims can take a stance against.
The Prophet Salal Lahu Alayhe wasallam has said that the highest form of “Imaan” is when someone witnesses a wrong and does something to right it. The next level of “Imaan” is when a person speaks out against the wrong he encounters. The weakest level of Imaan is when a person despises the wrong he sees.
For more information on Alcohol you could visit the WHO site or the MRC web on the Internet. End
Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad Sallallahu Allayhi Wasallam.
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi
Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi was founded by Dr Hakim Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah RA, (lovingly known as Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saab RA).
Author: Mohamed Hassan Gaffoor WhatsApp +27849101486