I have a question regarding a traditional drink called (kava or yogona/yoqona) usually from the parts of the South Pacific like Fiji Islands. The drink is made of a root plant mixed with water and drank socially. It can make you dizzy, numb, and it has intoxication as well. But it looks like a lot of Muslims from that region still drink it, even the ones that are punctual in their prayers and go in jamat. What is the ruling on this drink? Again I am not sure if you came across this question before? There is a community of brothers who drink this often and does not think it is forbidden and I have seen them drink a lot and sometimes they cannot even walk after having quite a bit of the drink. Please looks into this and tell me so I can let the brothers know the truth regarding this drink. I would appreciate a detailed answer on this please.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(Fatwa: 444/362/D=05/1435)
In view of the details mentioned in the question, we concluded that the drink is intoxicative. And it is mentioned in Hadith that everything that intoxicates is forbidden:
كل مسكر حرام رواه مسلم
And it is also mentioned in another hadith:
ما أسكر كثيره فقليله حرام” رواه الترمذي، وقال العلامة الشامي: لإن ما يخل العقل لا يجوز أيضا بلا شبهة (الدر مع الرد 10/40 زكريا)
So, according to Shariah, it is haram and unlawful to drink the above mentioned drink.
Allah knows Best!
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband