Drinking wine

2. Historical Context

Historically, the consumption of wine was prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabian society, where alcohol was often associated with social gatherings and festivities. However, the advent of Islam ushered in a paradigm shift. The prohibitory measures taken against wine stemmed not only from religious mandates but also from a broader socio-cultural effort to foster a sober and responsible community.

During the early Shi’a Islamic era, numerous sayings attributed to Imam Ali (AS) and other Imams categorized wine drinking as morally reprehensible. This societal transformation influenced Shia communities, leading to a cultural repudiation of wine drinking even in regions where such practices might have persisted.