Surah Al-Maidah — Verse 91

Word Meanings:

• Al-Khamr (الخمر): Intoxicants — anything that clouds the mind and intellect.
• Al-Maysir (الميسر): Gambling — games of chance that involve stakes and betting.
• Al-Adāwah (العداوة): Enmity and hostility between people.
• Al-Baghḍā’ (البغضاء): Deep-seated hatred and aversion in the hearts.
• Yaṣuddakum (يصدكم): To turn you away and divert you from something.
• Muntahūn (منتهون): Those who cease, desist, and abstain completely.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this profound verse, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) unveils the true intentions of Satan — the eternal enemy of humankind. The devil does not merely tempt you toward sin for its own sake; rather, he has a far deeper and more destructive agenda. Through intoxicants and gambling, he seeks to plant the seeds of enmity and hatred among you. Think about it: when a person loses their mind to alcohol, they say and do things that shatter relationships and ignite conflicts. When people gamble, the loser harbours resentment, and the winner becomes arrogant — both hearts fill with malice and spite. The devil delights in watching brothers become strangers, friends become foes, and communities tear apart.

Moreover, Satan's second goal is to block you from the remembrance of Allah and from the prayer (Ṣalāh). Intoxication steals your consciousness, making it impossible to stand before your Lord in prayer. Gambling consumes your time, your thoughts, and your wealth, leaving no room for the remembrance of the Most Merciful. The prayer is singled out here because it is the pillar of faith and the direct connection between the servant and his Creator — so Satan works tirelessly to sever that connection.

Then comes the powerful rhetorical question: "So will you not desist?" This is not merely a question — it is a command wrapped in compassion. Allah is appealing to your intellect and your faith: after knowing the harm, the enmity, the hatred, and the separation from your Lord — will you not stop? Will you not protect your heart, your family, and your community from this destruction?

A Call to the Believers:

Dear Muslim, reflect on the wisdom of your Lord. He did not forbid these things to restrict you, but to liberate you — to safeguard your mind, your wealth, your relationships, and your soul. When you abandon intoxicants and gambling, you are not losing pleasure; you are gaining clarity, peace, and the sweetness of faith. You are protecting your prayers, your family bonds, and your inner tranquillity.

The Qur’an presents this as a matter of honour: Allah asks you, "Will you not desist?" — as if to say, "You are better than this. You are stronger than this temptation. You are capable of rising above it." And indeed, the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) responded with the most beautiful words: "We have desisted, O our Lord!" They understood that true victory lies in obedience, and true freedom lies in submission to Allah.

So let this verse be a turning point for you. If you have fallen into these sins, know that Allah’s door of repentance is wide open. He loves those who turn back to Him. And if you have never touched them, thank Allah for His protection and help others see the light of this guidance. The devil’s plan is to destroy you — but Allah’s plan is to elevate you. Choose the path of honour, and you will find peace in this life and the next.