Prohibition of Alcohol (Khamr)

The prohibition of alcohol was revealed in stages. First, Allah mentioned that there was sin and benefit in wine but the sin was greater (2:219). Then Muslims were told not to approach prayer while intoxicated (4:43). Finally, the decisive prohibition came: 'O you who have believed, indeed intoxicants, gambling, stone altars, and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Shaytan, so avoid it' (5:90). When this verse was announced, the companions immediately poured out all their wine in the streets of Medina.