Is it permissible to gradually cease drinking alcohol for someone who has become addicted to it, or must it be abandoned immediately, especially with the repeated relapses due to the inability to quit abruptly?
The one who drinks alcohol must immediately initiate a sincere repentance by abandoning the sin, regretting it, and resolving never to return to it. He should completely forsake alcohol, be truthful with Allah, and resort to Him with supplication and humility. Among the things that aid in the sincerity of repentance are associating with the righteous and avoiding bad company. The fundamental principle is to immediately abstain from alcohol, and it is not permissible to gradually abandon it unless that becomes the only way to completely quit it, for fear of significant harm, in which case they may gradually decrease it until its cessation does not cause them harm.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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