The Book of Drinks

Immerse yourself in one of the most profound and elegantly argued treatises of classical Islamic scholarship. Authored by the renowned 9th-century polymath Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin Muslim bin Qutayba, The Book of Drinks (Kitab al-Ashribah) offers a masterful synthesis of jurisprudence (Fiqh), linguistic analysis, and Arabic poetry to address one of the most fiercely debated topics in early Islam: the permissibility of various steeped and fermented beverages.

In this meticulous translation, readers are granted unprecedented access to Ibn Qutayba's rigorous intellectual framework. The author navigates the complex divergence of opinions among the early Companions, Successors, and Imams regarding Khamr (wine), Nabidh (steeped drinks), and other intoxicants. Rather than presenting a dry legal manual, Ibn Qutayba weaves a rich cultural tapestry, drawing upon pre-Islamic and early Islamic poetry, linguistic semiotics, and historical anecdotes to expose the societal impacts of intoxication and the nuanced wisdom of Islamic dietary law.

What you will discover inside:

• The Fiqh of Beverages: A detailed examination of the legal distinctions between Khamr, Nabidh, Tila', and Fadih, supported by Hadith and early Islamic precedent.

• Literary & Linguistic Masterpieces: An extensive anthology of classical Arabic poetry detailing the cultural perceptions of wine, nobility, and disgrace, carefully translated to preserve its rhythmic and poetic integrity.

• Theological Arguments: A critical deconstruction of the arguments made by extreme factions-both the overly permissive and the excessively strict-culminating in a balanced, orthodox Islamic framework.

• Historical Insight: Rare historical accounts detailing the habits of the early Arabs, the Persian kings, and the early Muslim community regarding the ethics of consumption and social gatherings.

Whether you are a scholar of Islamic studies, a student of classical Arabic literature, or a reader fascinated by the historical development of religious law, this edition provides an indispensable window into the intellectual rigor and cultural richness of the early Islamic world.

Order your copy today to explore the definitive classical discourse on permissible and forbidden beverages.