In one of the years, Caliph Al-Mahdi (from the Abbasid dynasty) entered Medina. After visiting the tomb of the Prophet, he met Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him). To test the Imam’s knowledge, as he presumed, he raised the topic of the prohibition of “khamr” (wine) in the Qur’an and asked:
– Is wine prohibited in the Holy Qur’an? He then added: People often know that the Qur’an forbids drinking wine, but they do not understand that this prohibition means it is haram (forbidden)!
– The Imam replied: Yes, the prohibition of wine is explicitly stated in the Holy Qur’an.
– Al-Mahdi asked: Where in the Qur’an?
– The Imam replied: It is where Allah (addressing the Prophet) says: “Say: My Lord has only forbidden indecency, whether apparent or hidden, and sin (ithm), and oppression without right…” [1].
Then the Imam explained a few other things mentioned in the verse that are prohibited, and said:
The term “ithm” (sin) in this verse, which Allah has prohibited, refers specifically to wine, because in another verse Allah says:
“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say: In them is great sin (ithm kabir) and [some] benefit for people, but their sin is greater than their benefit.” [2].
Since the term “ithm” is explicitly mentioned as haram (forbidden) in Surah A’raf, it is also used in reference to wine and gambling in Surah Al-Baqarah. Therefore, wine is explicitly forbidden in the Qur’an.
Al-Mahdi was greatly affected by the Imam’s reasoning. He turned to one of the attendants and said: “By Allah, this verdict is from the Hashemi family!” The man responded, “Praise be to Allah, for He has placed this knowledge in your family, the family of the Prophet.”[4]
Al-Mahdi became upset with this response and, while trying to control his anger, said: “You are right, O Rafidi.”[4]
Source: “Al-Furu’ min al-Kafi,” by Sheikh Al-Kulayni (may Allah have mercy on him), Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, Volume 6, page 406
Footnotes:
[1] Surah Al-A’raf, verse 33
[2] Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 219
[3] It seems that the intent behind this statement is that due to the kinship among the Banu Hashim, Imam Musa al-Kadhim’s knowledge is a source of pride even for Al-Mahdi himself.
[4] Since the time of the Umayyads, the enemies of the Shi’ahs of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) began calling them “Rafidi.”