Can You Drink Alcohol During Ramadan? Learn Islam

Can you drink alcohol during Ramadan? is a common question, especially for Muslims around worldwide, or travelling to places like Dubai, where alcohol is available.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is known for daily fasting, extra prayer, Qur’an recitation, charity, and rebuilding good habits. In simple terms, fasting means you intentionally avoid food, drink, and intimacy from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib).

Here’s one helpful, practical companion if you’re trying to reset your habits this month: Ramadan Guide book (Hanafi perspective) on Amazon.

The real confusion Muslims face

Many people already know that alcohol is haram. The confusion usually happens in three situations:

A new Muslim is still adjusting
A Muslim is struggling with a past habit
Someone is travelling and thinks “after Iftar, it’s my personal choice”

And because Ramadan is spiritual, people sometimes avoid asking directly. That silence can turn into risky decisions, guilt, and broken routines.

The straight Islamic answer in everyday words

In Islam, alcohol is forbidden in general, not only during Ramadan. Ramadan doesn’t “create” the rule. Ramadan simply makes everything more serious because it is a month of worship and self-control.

So the simple fiqh point is:

Fasting hours: drinking anything (including alcohol) breaks the fast.
After sunset: the fast ends, but haram still stays haram.

This is why scholars say the “time window” does not change the ruling on alcohol. It only changes whether the fast is valid.

Categories: PRAYER ,ALMS , SAWN HAJJ & DUA , Hadith and Tafseer, The Holy Quran, Quran Jaz 1- 114

Why this matters so much in Ramadan

Ramadan is not only about staying hungry. It’s a training month. When you protect your fast, you protect your heart, your prayers, and your relationships. That is why people often feel a big difference in mood and focus when they avoid sins as well as food.

Practical benefits of staying away from alcohol in Ramadan include:

Clearer prayer and better concentration in Taraweeh
Less regret and fewer “next day” crashes
Stronger self-control you can carry after Eid
More barakah in time, sleep, and family life

Qur’an references with transliteration and short translations

Below are two of the most relevant verses for the topic—one about fasting, one about intoxicants.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183)
Transliteration: Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū kutiba ʿalaykumu aṣ-ṣiyāmu…
Meaning: Fasting is prescribed for believers so they can gain self-control and God-consciousness. Read it here: Fasting is prescribed (Qur’an 2:183)
Surah Al-Mā’idah (5:90)
Transliteration: Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū innamā al-khamru wal-maysiru… fajtanibūhu…
Meaning: Intoxicants are impure and harmful—believers are told to avoid them. Read it here: Avoid intoxicants (Qur’an 5:90)

Hadith references with short translations

These two narrations make the “Ramadan mindset” very clear: it’s not only about food and drink, and intoxicants are prohibited.

Sahih al-Bukhari 1903
Meaning: If someone doesn’t leave lying and evil actions, Allah does not need them to leave food and drink (their fast is spiritually empty).
Read: Hadith on the spirit of fasting (Bukhari 1903)
Sahih Muslim 2003a
Meaning: Every intoxicant is khamr, and every intoxicant is forbidden; persisting in it is a serious matter.
Read: Hadith on intoxicants being forbidden (Muslim 2003a)

So what about after sunset?

People ask it in different ways, like can you drink alcohol during ramadan after sunset or can you drink alcohol after sunset during ramadan.

The key is to separate two questions:

Does it break the fast after Maghrib? No, because the fast has ended.
Is it permissible? No. Alcohol remains haram, in Ramadan and outside Ramadan.

If you’re trying to build a clean Ramadan, treat the evening as your “rebuild time,” not a loophole.

What about Dubai during Ramadan?

A frequent travel question is can you drink alcohol in dubai during ramadan.

In Dubai, alcohol is generally only served in licensed venues, often inside hotels. During Ramadan, many places still serve alcohol, but it’s typically more restricted and more discreet, and commonly after sunset depending on venue policy. Rules can change by venue and year, so always check your hotel/restaurant policy and respect local customs.

Also remember: even if something is legally available somewhere, it doesn’t make it Islamically permissible.

A quick “problem → insight → solution” checklist

Problem: Confusion, travel, social pressure, old habits.
Insight: Qur’an + Sunnah show fasting is training, and intoxicants are forbidden.
Solution: Keep it simple with a plan you can actually follow.

Try this checklist:

Make a clear intention: “I’m protecting my fast and my heart.”
Avoid risky hangouts (or leave early, politely).
Replace the habit: sparkling water, tea, fresh juices, or dates + milk.
Keep your evenings structured: Maghrib → food → prayer → rest.
If you slip, repent quickly and restart the next moment.

Also Read: Zakah: A Divine System For Global Balance

Can You Drink Alcohol During Ramadan? Learn Islam, Beliefs, Holy Month, Pillar of Islam, Prayer, Ramadan

Suitable “sight” table for real-life situations

Situation	Best Islamic choice	Helpful tip (UK/USA)	Dubai travel note
Invited to a bar after Iftar	Decline respectfully	Suggest a café/dessert place instead	Choose family restaurants or hotel cafés
Work dinner where alcohol is served	Stay, but don’t drink	Order a mocktail or soft drink early	Ask venue if they serve alcohol during Ramadan hours
Struggling with cravings at night	Avoid triggers, get support	Keep halal alternatives at home	Don’t rely on “it’s available” as a reason
Visiting non-Muslim relatives	Explain Ramadan goals kindly	Offer to cook/share an Iftar meal	Be extra mindful of public behaviour and local norms

Habit tips that actually work

Small habits beat big speeches. Pick two or three:

The 10-minute rule: when a craving hits, delay for 10 minutes and do wudu, a short walk, or dhikr.
Swap the glass: keep a special Ramadan drink (mint lemonade, laban, or herbal tea) ready for evenings.
One trusted person: tell one friend you’re staying away from alcohol and ask them to check in weekly.

For additional Islamic learning and Ramadan reminders, you can also visit www.quranmualim.com as a helpful Islamic site.

3–5 Hanafi fiqh book titles to consult (titles only)

Al-Hidāyah
Badā’iʿ al-Ṣanā’iʿ
Al-Mabsūṭ (al-Sarakhs) ī)
Radd al-Muḥtār (Ibn ʿĀbidīn)
Al-Fatāwā al-Hindiyyah

Trusted background reading (3 external links)

Ramadan overview on Wikipedia’s Ramadan article
Ramadan definition and practices on Britannica’s Ramadan entry
Practical Ramadan rules and exemptions from Islamic Relief UK

Also Read: Can We Miss The Fast? | Fidya And Kaffarah

FAQ

Does drinking alcohol automatically cancel my Ramadan?

It doesn’t cancel the whole month, but it is a major sin and harms your worship. Repent sincerely, and protect the rest of your Ramadan.

If I drank by mistake while fasting, what happens?

If it were truly accidental, stop immediately. Fasting has clear rules, and you should also seek guidance from a trusted scholar for your situation.

What if my friends pressure me after Iftar?

Keep it simple: “I’m not drinking in Ramadan.” Offer an alternative plan like dessert or coffee. Real friends will respect your boundaries.

If alcohol is legal where I live, does that change the ruling?

No. Legal availability doesn’t change Islamic permissibility. Ramadan is a chance to strengthen your choices, even when society normalizes something.

I’m trying to quit—what’s one step I can take tonight?

Remove the alcohol from your space, drink something calming, pray two rak’ahs, and message one trusted person for support. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Conclusion

can you drink alcohol during ramadan comes up because life is messy and people are at different stages. But the direction is clear: fasting is training, and intoxicants are not part of a believer’s path—day or night. Keep your plan simple, lean on Allah, and let Ramadan be the month you become stronger than the habit.

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