Answered by Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question: As-salam Alaykum, If someone accidentally consumed alcohol through ignorance such as eating Dijon mustard without knowing it was made with alcohol, do the 40 days apply to them as well? Would it be impermissible for someone to pray behind them?
Answer: Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
I pray you are well.
No, it wouldn’t apply to them; the wording of the hadith about their prayer not being accepted seems to imply that it is referring to a deliberate act.
It would also be permissible for someone to pray behind them; the books of fiqh do not mention not having consumed wine for forty days as a condition of being an imam. (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al Falah).
Mistakes Are Overlooked
The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “Allah has overlooked for my umma mistakes, forgetfulness, and what they are coerced to do.” (Ibn Majah)
In any case, the hadith about the prayer not being accepted for only applies to someone who does not repent from that deed. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Whoever drinks wine none of his prayers will be accepted for forty days. If he repents Allah will accept his repentance…” (Tirmidhi).
Also, it’s worth noting that not all types of Dijon mustard have wine in it. Some have vinegar as an ingredient, which is permissible.
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with erudite scholars such as Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh Abdurrahman Arjan, Shaykh Hussain Darwish, and Shaykh Muhammad Darwish. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic with teachers such as Dr. Ashraf Muneeb, Dr. Salah Abu’l-Hajj, Dr. Hamza al-Bakri, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Dr. Mansur Abu Zina, and others. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital by Shakh Samir Jabir and Shaykh Yahya Qandil. With Shaykh Ali, he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.