The Paradox of Intoxicants in the Qur’an: An Apologetic Challenge

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction

The Qur’an clearly denounces intoxicants and gambling as “abominations of Satan’s handiwork” (Qur’an 5:90). Muslims are told to avoid them in order to achieve success. Yet in the same book, Paradise is described as a place flowing with rivers of wine (Qur’an 47:15) where the righteous are given pure, sealed intoxicating drinks (Qur’an 83:25–26). This creates an undeniable paradox: Allah prohibits intoxicants on earth as satanic, but then rewards Muslims with them in heaven.

Christian apologetics must raise a crucial question: Why would a holy God use what He once called “Satan’s work” as the eternal reward of the faithful?

The Qur’anic Contradiction

On earth:

• “O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, idols and divining arrows, are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork; so avoid them, that you may prosper.” (Qur’an 5:90).

In Paradise:

• “In it are rivers of water incorruptible, rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, rivers of wine, delicious to those who drink.” (Qur’an 47:15).

• “They will be given to drink a pure wine, sealed; the seal thereof is musk.” (Qur’an 83:25–26).

The Qur’an cannot escape its own inconsistency. If intoxicants are satanic works, why would Allah glorify them as part of eternal bliss? Either intoxicants are inherently evil (in which case Allah cannot use them as reward) or they are not evil (in which case their prohibition on earth makes little sense).

Questions Islam Cannot Answer

1. Why would Allah choose the imagery of Satan’s handiwork to describe eternal bliss?

2. If the “wine of Paradise” is allegedly different, why does the Qur’an still use the same word (khamr) that elsewhere is condemned?

3. Why does Jannah focus on sensual pleasures—wine, women, couches, and luxury—rather than holiness, righteousness, and communion with God?

4. If heaven is to be free of sin, why would Allah reintroduce what he once condemned as sinful?

5. Does this not reduce Paradise to a carnal projection of Muhammad’s desires rather than a holy dwelling with God?

6. Why does Islam offer bodily indulgence while Christianity offers eternal communion with a holy God (Revelation 21:3–4)?

The Biblical Contrast

The Bible never promises that God will use Satan’s works to reward His people. Instead, the imagery of heaven is holy and consistent with God’s character:

• Jesus offers “living water” that becomes “a well springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

• Paul describes eternal blessing as the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22–23)—love, joy, peace, and righteousness, not drunkenness.

• The book of Revelation emphasizes God’s presence: “Behold, the dwelling of God is with man… He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:3–4).

Unlike the Qur’an, the Bible presents eternal life as a holy fellowship with God, not a glorified indulgence of forbidden desires.

Apologetic Conclusion

The Qur’an’s portrayal of intoxicants reveals a deep theological inconsistency. Islam teaches that intoxicants are Satan’s handiwork yet paradoxically elevates them as heavenly gifts. This is not the voice of a consistent, holy God—it is the voice of human imagination, projecting earthly cravings into a supposed afterlife.

Christian apologetics challenges Muslims to wrestle with this contradiction: Why would Allah reward believers with what he once condemned as satanic?

In contrast, the God of the Bible never contradicts Himself. His rewards are consistent with His nature—pure, holy, and eternal. Eternal life in Christ is not a banquet of carnal indulgence but the joy of unbroken communion with the Living God.

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References

Qur’anic Sources

• Qur’an 5:90 – Condemnation of intoxicants as Satan’s handiwork.

• Qur’an 47:15 – Rivers of wine in Paradise.

• Qur’an 76:21 – Heavenly goblets of drink.

• Qur’an 83:25–26 – Sealed pure wine in Paradise.

Biblical Sources

• John 4:14 – Jesus offers living water.

• Galatians 5:22–23 – Fruit of the Spirit.

• Revelation 21:3–4 – Eternal communion with God.

• Revelation 21:6 – The water of life given freely.

Scholarly Works

• Geisler, Norman L. & Saleeb, Abdul. Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross. Baker Academic, 2002.

• St. Augustine. The City of God. Penguin Classics, 2003.

• Watt, W. Montgomery. Muhammad at Medina. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1956.

• Al-Tabari. Jami‘ al-Bayan fi Ta’wil al-Qur’an.

• Al-Qurtubi. Tafsir al-Qurtubi.

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