A Marietta, Ga., man pumps E-85 ethanol fuel into his pickup truck. Vehicles must be specially made to use the 15-percent gasoline, 85-percent ethanol mixture.
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Saudi Muslim cleric warns that biofuels could be sinful
By Eoin O'Carroll | 02.20.09
A prominent Muslim scholar in Saudi Arabia has warned that those using alcohol-based biofuels in their cars could be committing a sin.
The warning was issued by Sheikh Mohamed Al-Najimi, a member of the Islamic Fiqh Academy, an institute that studies Islamic jurisprudence for the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, an international group with a permanent delegation to the United Nations. According to the Al Arabiya News Channel, an international news outlet based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Mr. Najim directed his warning to Saudi youths studying abroad.
Al Arabiya notes that Najimi stressed that this warning was not an official fatwa, or religious edict, just his personal opinion. Najimi added that the issue “needs to be studied by the relevant religious bodies.”
Ethanol, a common type of biofuel, is made of the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, and its production is similar to that of hard liquor. Plant matter is fermented using yeast, and the result is distilled to increase the concentration of alcohol.
Fuels with high concentrations of ethanol – the most common being E85, a gasoline blend with 85 percent ethanol – can be used in flex-fuel vehicles, which make up more than seven million of the roughly 250 million passenger cars and trucks on America’s roads. Most gasoline sold in the United States contains about 10 percent ethanol. The fuel is more common in many Latin American countries, particularly Brazil.
In addition to beverages and biofuels, ethanol is a widely used in industry for its properties as a solvent and an antiseptic. It’s a common component of perfumes and paints. The chemical is also necessary in the production of vinegar – one of the Prophet Muhammad’s favorite seasonings.
The Koran prohibits consumption of alcohol in three separate verses that were written over a period of several years. The first mention occurs in 4:43, in which Muslims are told that they must not pray while intoxicated. A verse written later – 2:219 – says that in wine and gambling “is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.” Finally, in 5:90-91, intoxicants and gambling are called “an abomination” and “Satan’s handiwork”:
Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?
This admonition is waived in the hereafter, apparently: Many passages in the Islamic holy book describe heaven as having rivers of wine.
Ironically, it was Muslim chemists who introduced distillation to the West. The process of distilling pure ethanol from wine was perfected by 8th- and 9th-century Persian chemists, who used it to create perfumes and eyeliner. Their writings were translated by European scholars in the 12th century, and the process was used to make potable spirits. The word “alcohol” is itself of Arabic origin.
<< The ‘holy grail’ of biofuels now in sight | MainComments
2. Abdelkarim | 02.21.09
Two Qur’anic verses prohibit “khamr” (specifically, wine). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) extended the meaning to everything that intoxicates (”befogs the mind”). The prohibition does not apply to alchohol for other purposes. Biofuels are mixtures that in addition to ethanol, contain other substances that make them poisonous if ingested. Such “denatured alcohol” can no longer be used as an intoxicating beverage. The prophet allowed the use of wine that had turned to vinegar because it could no longer cause drunkeness. By the Shari’ah principal of “qiyas”(analogical deduction), if biofuels cannot be made because they require the production of alcohol, then wine vinegar would be prohibited too.
3. Cynic | 02.21.09
Two problems with this “scholar’s” opinion:
1) the driver is not consuming the alcohol, the car is. This is not forbidden in the Qu’ran.
2) there is no central authority in Islam, so he has no basis for issuing a fatwa (nor does anyone else). Moderate muslims would do well to remember that.
Islam is a religion that is between an individual and God (Allah). There are no popes, reverends, bishops, rabbis, imams, ayatollahs, etc anywhere in the Qu’ran. Unfortunately people have abdicated their personal responsibility and thinking by handing others power that they should not have. The sooner the average muslim stands up to these charlatans and takes back the religion (a la the Reformation in Christianity) the better of the muslim world will be.
4. Alexander Mann | 02.21.09
By similar reasoning, this interpretation should also affect Christian Baptists and Pentecostals , etc who reference certain Bible passages to condemn the use of alcoholic drinks.
5. Khalid | 02.21.09
The guy is right. All Muslim believers in countries where ethanol is blended in gasoline or diesel should abstain from utilizing this satanic liquid as their cars may get drunk!!! The consequences could be dire!
6. joseph davidovic | 02.21.09
I supposed it has mostly to do with “competition” don’t you think?
joseph davidovic
7. tom nicolette | 02.22.09
Just to clarify. The Arabs did NOT invent the process. They just added a little to it.
Alambic Distillation is a very old technique, which was, used by the Chinese 3000 years BC, the East Indians 2500 years BC, the Egyptians 2000 years BC, the Greeks1000 years BC, and the Romans 200 years BC. In the beginning, all of the above cultures produced a liquid, later called alcohol by the Arabs, which was used for medicinal purposes and to make perfumes.
8. Arif | 02.22.09
This is not a fatawa, but his personal opinion, then why is it given so much publicity??
9. Rashid | 02.22.09
Westerners needs to understand that Islam has no church to sponsor a religion. every Muslim has to follow the Quran and Hadith. Islam prohibits the consumption of Alcohol as in Drinking because of health effects and that it turns you into a “temporary” loon and you could actually commit sinful things when you turn into a loon, sinful things such as (murder, suicide, stealing, having illegal sexual relationships, etc…) and by drinking alcohol it’s not about hurting yourself, it’s about hurting others too. but then, Islam doesn’t prohibits other uses of it. such as the issue with biofuels. unless bio fuel is a drink and I don’t know that! and If some religious cleric issues a fatwa, you’re not entitled to go by it unless it includes a clear proof from the Quran and Hadith that “x” thing is prohibited.
as for heaven has rivers of wine, that’s another issue.
I didn’t read Nujaimi’s personal opinion, and I don’t care about what he says. simply because it’s his personal opinion.
10. Saeed | 02.22.09
It sounds as though this cleric is motivated less by piety than by pragmatism. The more the world uses biofuels, the less valuable is Saudi oil, dropping his prestige and influence among Muslims worldwide with the exportation of Saudi Wahhabism. Clerics are snake-oil salesmen, whether they’re television evangelists in Houston or Muslim muftis in Riyadh.
11. Prahneel | 02.22.09
The can Koran forbids “intoxicants and gambling”, right? So does that mean each by themselves is okay?
Drink, but don’t gamble or gamble, but don’t drink and you are not committing a sin.
I think I’ve a new sect of Islam to preach.
12. George Z | 02.22.09
It is incorrect to put popes, reverends, bishops, and rabbis together in one row. While popes and bishops are members of the Catholic Church hierarchy, neither protestants (with their reverends) nor Judaists (with their rabbis) have no hierarchies. A rabbi, for example, is merely a professional who received training in a specific scholastic field. His professional opinions are advices, not orders.
13. Aalamaram | 02.22.09
Christ gave wine to everyone on a wedding! and He said when you drink wine after supper remember Me. Paul said add a little wine to your food for your stomach. In other wards drinking to the level of intoxication is not allowed not only in Islam,christian but in all religions of the world. I am also of the belief that there should be no one between me and my God. I do not need someone to tell me what to do, I get that from my God. God guides me in my everyday life.
14. Courtenay | 02.22.09
Thanks to those who’ve pointed out that Islam truly is a religion that’s between the individual and God - there’s no central clerical authority with the right to make sweeping “official” pronouncements such as this. If only more people understood this, and personal opinions like this cleric’s were reported with less sensationalism in the general media, we might have less vicious stereotyping and more appreciation of the richness, depth and diversity within Islam as a faith and culture.
As for those deadly satanic cars, though - oh dear… can’t you just hear the latest excuse for DUI offences? “Nah, sherioushly, offisher - i’sh the CAR tha’ wosh drunk, no’ me…” ;-)
15. Hur | 02.22.09
You shouldn’t put alcohol in your car because it’s a sin, and uh, …
….keep buying our oil.
16. rickdog | 02.22.09
the major flaw of this discussion is that religion should not be a basis for public policy. religious people need to keep their dogma to themselves or behind the doors of their churches, synagogues, temples, or mosques. what we don’t need in the US is a move towards the tragic theocratic rule as in the middle east, that would be the sure death of freedom here.
17. sami alkhammash | 02.22.09
I am a Saudi, and a Muslim. I have not heard something like this ever. Anyway, If this is real, then there is nothing in the holy quran that says you can not use alcohol as a source of energy. What written in the holy quran and every muslim know is that drinking alcohol is a sin, but not using it as a source of energy. Finally, I have not heard or seen any clerk in saudi arabia or other muslim nations say using alcohol in your can is a sin.
18. hassan | 02.23.09
I am a muslim.. and i think… if using alcohol-based biofuels in cars could be sinful, then we should also circumcise our cars (if a male car) or has to cover the car with a Hijab (burugaa) before taking it out to a ride… we should not put any feul in our cars during the day time in the holy month of ramazan…
19. M. H. FRANKLIN | 02.23.09
What a hoot! There are some genuinely funny responses here. This cleric has enabled a number of stand-up comics. Jolly good.
20. nnafpw3 | 02.23.09
This type logic reminds me of Kaplan’s Law “Give a small boy a hammer and he will find that everything he encounters needs pounding.” The spokesman once again proves nobody really knows what is going on anywhere within their faith based organization.
21. Non Believer | 02.23.09
This is the craziest religious idea! (I only wish it had come out before Bill Maher did his “Religulous” documentary.)
It’s ideas like these and the incredible discourse that follows which make
a farce of all religions. How can anyone take this seriously?
22. Tariq Ahmed | 02.23.09
I will disobey this cleric. Biofuel for a motor vehicle has nothing to do with a religion- for sure not Islam. Islam is a pro science religion. Saudi Arabia has too many drunk clerics.They never care for the downtrodden in poorer countries.
Shut up -will you the misguided cleric.
23. Mohammed syed | 02.23.09
I think the Journals and Editors have collective responsibility of what
makes news? I am not contesting the stupidity of Sheikh Mohamed Al-Najimi in this area. At the same time author Eoin O’Carroll is creating
a misleading topic and contradicting the same in his article.
He first states a “Prominent Muslim clergy” later he states he
is JUST a “member” of infamous clergy system of Saudia Arabia.
For naive readers it may be a great article. But when I connect the
dots its just reflects how opportunist can capitalize on stupidity of
so called members of infamous clergy system of saudia arabia making stupid comments.
24. Dan | 02.23.09
Hassan–
You sound like a very intelligent person. I think if more Christians, Jews, and Muslims thought like you do this world would be a much more peaceful place to live!
25. Jerry McIntire | 02.23.09
Eion, I have to agree with Mohammed Syed. This is another unfortunate example of a sensational headline and a superfluous article. I don’t see any of the Muslim commenters taking this seriously, though I appreciate their quotations of the Qu’ran and simple explanations of the difference between alcoholic drinks and alcohol-based fuels.
26. Hasan | 02.24.09
To those who say one’s Religion is only between him and his Maker, it is important that they study the Quran and know all implications of its Message(s) rather than just use specific verses with immediate impact to whatever the subject be. ALLAH will help all those who attempt the study of HIS MESSAGE.
As for the Saudi cleric Al-Najimi’s “personal opinion”, he should not have made such a publication knowing how the Media throughout the world – and particularly the western world – puts the spin on anything that will sell well & anything on Islamic thoughts – right or wrong. There is already a heavy infliction of phobia when Islam is mentioned anywhere in the west. We Believing & Rightful Muslims should be aware of what repercussions will take place only to malign our beautiful, peaceful DEEN, as opposed to Religion. Many Clerics in all religions did not get proper training to acquire REAL religious knowledge; such have done much harm to their individual religion, as history will show. Good education helps achieve proper Perceptions & thus avoid controversies.
No, I do not agree with this “personal opinion”; the restriction on alcohol is against humans consuming it. All that is in this world is for the benefit of mankind, albeit within parameters set (in limited instances) by the ONE Who CREATED everything including us human beings.
27. Suhel Khan | 02.24.09
This ‘personal opinion’ of the Islamic ‘Alim was totally unnecessary. I see no problem in it as it is an attempt to make this world a little better place to live - a fundamental Jihad (to strie for) for every Muslim.
Suhel Farooq Khan
28. Jake | 02.24.09
Very funny. But before everyone tries to stereotype and act like this is more fanaticism from Islam, I would remind them that here in the U.S. there are groups radically opposed to industrial hemp. Industrial hemp doesn’t even contain THC, yet anti-drug groups are so fanatical they oppose any form of that plant being used for anything, intoxicant or not, because it “sends the wrong message.” So, this is quite similar actually. There are fanatics everywhere, even here in the U.S.
29. Syed Badiuzzaman | 02.24.09
I feel using bio-fuels in transportation cuts into the world’s (limited) food supply. Using of corn and soyabeans, for example, in making bio-fuels by the wealthier nations, brings up the cost of edible oil to unaffordable levels for the people of poorer nations, as had happened just recently.
This is “israaf” on the part of the wealthy. This could be the sin. And God knows best.
30. mimi | 02.24.09
how about; biofuel is a step to a world less poluted (if now possible)
i’m just guessing but maybe all of our gods, however we call them, would be pleased with it. If they haven’t already given up on us, seeing ”what have we done to our mother earth”
and yes, buy our oil, i too think there’s a big part of this theory lies in that
muslim girl : )
Dan, sharing your thoughts!
31. John (Christian) | 02.24.09
As a non-Muslim, I offer this for consideration: in Christianity, we consider the motivations of the heart as a critical determinant when weighing any action. It appears that the intent of the Quranic Texts referred to are to highlight the dissolution resulting from indulgence in the vices in question (gambling and drinking) — i.e. intent of use.
It must be said that the cleric was responsible and scrupulous in specifying that he was merely stating an opinion as opposed to setting guidlines. Hence, it is being offered merely as food for thought.
Whereas the arguments presented herein against the notions of the substance itself being sinful are compelling, particularly as articulated by
[ Abdelkarim | 02.21.09 ] and [ Hassan | 02.23.09 ], the cleric did his community a service by provoking thought. Speculation about the motives behind his statement cannot possibly profit anyone.
32. Moses | 02.24.09
Rashid:
“Westerners needs to understand that Islam has no church to sponsor a religion. every Muslim has to follow the Quran and Hadith. Islam prohibits the consumption of Alcohol as in Drinking because of health effects and that it turns you into a “temporary” loon and you could actually commit sinful things when you turn into a loon, sinful things such as (murder, suicide, stealing, having illegal sexual relationships, etc…) and by drinking alcohol it’s not about hurting yourself, it’s about hurting others too.”
Wait the Quran and it’s Hadiths require the MURDER, STEALING [as the Jizza], Bisexual Rape, Dismemberment of all Non-Muslims? So we don’t want the Islamic nut cases to drink and turn themselves into “temporary loons”, rather they should study the Quran and Hadiths so that they can be tranformed FULLY into PERMANENT LOONS!
As far as forbidden sexual relationships you should really consult the accepted Wahabi Sunni beleifs on those. If one commits a sexual act with a forbiden relationship, the offspring of that relationship become sexual slaves that can and must be used for the communities sexual needs!
33. Suzette | 02.24.09
The headline made me think a moment, and I agree that in a world with so many hungry people it is a sin that we should be burning food to power our cars. Now I see the cleric is talking about alcohol as an intoxicant. Can’t see how that would apply to cars.
Muhammad was right about drunkenness and gambling. Neither are good for you or for communities or for families. But we got drunk on shopping and we gambled with funny mortgages and we listened to seers who peep and mutter (stock market pundits) and now we are not so much sorry for our sins as we are sorry for ourselves. That’s pretty much how sin works.
34. Rey | 02.24.09
Wow, this particular religious figure must be employed by the Saudi Arabia Oil Companies. He wants all the muslim not to buy other than oil which his country sells in abundance. Another economic ploy by the Saudi government to make sure that the world would buy oil so the kingdom could flourish for decades.
35. rckstrdave | 02.24.09
Maybe the whole world would do well to stop listening to people who consider themselves religious “leaders,” “scholars,” or “authorities”; to respect religion and laugh at those who use it for personal gain and power over others. The Word of God is precious, but man is powerless and stupid; man’s only real power is the power to frighten the ignorant. Islam is a beautiful religion, but tyrants and madmen use it as a medium to spread their hate and idiocy.
36. Larry-T | 02.24.09
This is the kind of story that should have been included in “Religulous.” Religious law, no matter what the source, is simply not applicable to the real world.
37. Josh | 02.24.09
Gee, a Saudi warns us that bio-fuels may be sinful, I don’t suppose that has anything to do with the fact that Saudi Arabia is the leading oil producer on earth and will be rendered irrelevant as a country in the post-oil age?
38. john | 02.24.09
Consider the depletion of the soil for the purpose of avoiding the use (or overuse) of oil. Is this a sin? What if in the future people starve as a result? Sin? No. Our pleasure, wastage, and keeping the farming lobby happy are more important than feeding humanity.
40. libra 58 | 02.25.09
If there is one good thing that came out from this “personal opinion” it is
the fact that most people in this blog proved the fact that we are ready and
willing to have different opinions and religions. The narrow minded freaks are
just a lound minority. We should not forget this.
41. Siam Erzuah | 02.27.09
I am muslim, schooled in Christian educational instititions, with a very good knowledge about the Bible and the Quran. However, I have never read anything in the Quran that remotely resembles the claim that this liar is making about alcohol being sinful when used in a car. Whether its an opinion or not, the world is a better place when certain false ideas are left alone, instead of being expressed. Muslims like this pseudo-cleric,are the ones dragging the image of the religion in the mud. To **** with him.
43. auto parts | 06.17.09
I am no Muslim but I believe that biofuel is not sinful. In fact it is something good for the environment and for all of us. Just what cynic has pointed out, the driver is not the one consuming the alcohol, the car is, and this is not forbidden in the Qu’ran.
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1. Ahmed | 02.21.09
As a moderate muslim I don’t think that using biofuels is sinful, Simply because we don’t drink it!
We use it to run cars and there is nothing in the Holy Quran against that.
The cleric should keep his “personal opinion” to himself.