This is a suicide

Gilasoon mein jo doobay phir na ubhray zindagani mein
Hazaroon beh gaey in bootaloon kay bund paani mein
Yeh daaru ka piyala maut ka karwa piyala hai
Mila hai zehr sharbat mein chhupi hai aag paani mein

Meaning:
What to tell about the depravity of wine, it turns an innocent into a devil,
however, there is one thing positive in it that it makes the suicide attempt easier.

Those who stepped into the lust and pleasure of goblets never surfaced again and the intoxicating water packed in these liquor bottles swept away thousands. This goblet, full of wine, is a bitter sip of death as this drink contains poison and fire.

I recalled these verses when I went through a news item, published in local newspapers that ‘six people were killed and eight are in critical condition after they consumed poisonous liquor in Vehari. Three persons who allegedly prepared this liquor, mixed some chemical in it to get it ready to serve immediately. Brother-in-law of the accused is among the dead. Entire vicinity was grieved over the incident and everyone had tears in eyes when funerals of three youth were taken out from one place.

Every Muslim knows that consuming liquor is (Haraam) strictly prohibited in Islam. In Surah-e-Maeda, avoiding use of liquor has been advised for ten times. Its use is termed a filthy act of Satan. The Holy Prophet, Muhammad (sallallahu `alaihe wasallam) has cursed all those who prepared, supplied, served, transported, purchased and sold the wine.

Islam declared use of liquor at a time when its consumption was very common all over the world to gain physical strength. Islam gave clear messages to the people who were in the habit of consuming wine. Moreover, the Islam besides setting the punishment for the use of liquor also discussed in detail its physical disorders. Today, those societies and countries where use of liquor is common and it is used in place of water or any other soft drink, are now accepting after thorough research that this liquid damages the stomach which leads to inflammation and weakens various organs besides increasing the heart beat, as a result, the person who consumes the liquor, suffers from nervous breakdown. It is noticed in many cases that people under the influence of liquor pass urine in their trousers. Use of liquor also leads to mouth and lungs cancer.

Some people are of the opinion that wine provides strength. But, this impression is absolutely wrong. It is like a whip that does not generate strength in a tired horse but temporarily it make the horse to run faster. This does not continue for long and a time comes when even whipping does not work. According to a famous doctor, “Had there not been use of liquor in the world we would have been unable to discover more than fifty per cent of diseases today.”

A historical victorious, Sikandar-e-Azam, died at the age of 35 due to excessive use of liquor. History tells that two of Jehangir’s brothers, Prince Daniyal and Prince Muraad also died in their youth for excessive use of wine. During their ailment, their father, King Akbar, kept a strict vigil on both of their sons and ordered his men that in no way wine should reach them. However, one of their loyal men used to supply wine hiding in the barrels of his gun. This added more to their deteriorating condition because wine mixed up with the effect of smoke and explosive and turned into a deadly and poisonous liquor and ended their life.

The autobiography of King Babar ‘Tazak-e-Babari (Memoirs of Babar)’ proves his habit of excessive use of wine. During a battle when enemy was becoming heavier and there was a clear possibility that Babar will lose the battle, he prayed to Allah Almighty help him and make his forces successful and he will never ever consume wine in his life. The Creator of all worlds accepted his prayer and blessed him with success. Babar kept his promise with the Allah and never touched the liquor as a result the Moghul rule continues in the Hind for centuries. This success of Moghul rulers is seen today as a blessing from Allah Almighty and reward from Him for giving away the filthy act of consuming wine.

Muhammad Shah Rangilay lost the battle at the hand of Nadir Shah and was also deprived of all wealth including the world fame diamond ‘Kohinoor’ because of the curse of excessive use of wine. It is the belief of Muslims that wine is not only the enemy of religion, religious belief, health and wealth but it is also the enemy of wisdom. It is strange that a human being obtains this enemy by paying heavy money from his own resources. The world knows that a person under the influence of liquor considers himself the ruler of the world.

One day, Nawab Asifud Daula was enjoying an elephant ride. On the way he saw a man heavily under the influence of liquor was shouting filthy language. He saw Nawab on the elephant and shouted, “Hey ‘Daulay’: For how much you will sell your bitch you are riding?.” On the directives of Nawab that man was arrested and the following day he was produced before his court. Nawab was so kind hearted. He politely asked the man: “Will you purchase the bitch today?” The man was so ashamed and replied: “My lord! That purchaser has already left.” Nawab was amused on his reply and rewarded him with a warning that he should not consume liquor again. This all because of intoxicating substance that it turned the man out of his senses as a result of which he called Nawab Asifud Daula in humiliating manner with a nickname ‘Daulay’ and bitch to his elephant.

It is wine that drives a person out of his mind and become the source of riots and other anti-social crimes. A person under the influence of liquor commits all crimes including rape, dacoity, etc etc. People around him deprive him of his valuables and leave him without a single penny because he is not in his senses to know what is wrong being done with him.
A Persian poet has said: “Every sin is generated by liquor and every liquor bottle contains demons in it.”

Islam has declared ‘Haraam’ all things, which contain intoxicating substance. But, regret to mention that by staying away from the Islamic education, the use of liquor has become very common among Muslims. When Muslims rulers are out on foreign visits, their way of heavily consuming liquor startles those who consume wine in their routine life. Moreover, wine shops have been allowed to flourish in every locality of the country on the name of non-Muslims. While non-Muslims, knowing the deadly repercussions of consuming wine, are saying that use of liquor is prohibited in their religion too like Islam.

People who become habitual of consuming drugs, do not even care for their health and sell their kidney and blood to get a reason able amount to fulfill their desire of intoxication. Family is the dearest thing in the world for any human being. But these people bargain on their family members for their desire. Most of footpaths of the city are crowded with such heroin addicts who have left their homes, their families, their parents, their children and lying at the mercy of passers by to give them alms to fulfill their desire. Their priority is drug. They do not care for their diet, their clothes, their liabilities and do not take bath for months as a result of which their dresses start stinking. Their appearance makes others to stay away from them. Many a times they are found raking up the garbage in search of something that could fulfill their desire.

Mass funerals and living dead on footpaths give us enough to distinguish between the right and wrong. This is not the honour of a Muslim to see another Muslim committing suicide. It is our religious and moral obligation that we should, through our speeches, write ups, columns and features, convey the message of right and wrong and try to stop this demon from spreading in every nook and corner. We should not wait in taking the initiative otherwise the way will come that this curse will destroy our own houses and our dears and near ones.