The general rule in Islam is that any beverage that get people intoxicated when taken is unlawful, both in small and large quantities, whether it is alcohol, drugs, fermented raisin drink, or something else.

In his book Al-Halal wal Haram fi lIslam (The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam)SheikhYusufAl-Qaradawi states the following:

“The first declaration made by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) concerning this matter was that not only is Khamr (wine or alcohol) prohibited but that the definition of Khamr extends to any substance that intoxicates, in whatever form or under whatever name it may appear. Thus, beer and similar drinks are haram.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was once asked about certain drinks made from honey, corn, or barley by the process of fermenting them until they became alcoholic. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) succinctly replied, “Every intoxicant isKhamr, and everyKhamrisharam.” (Muslim)

And `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) declared from the pulpit of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that Khamris that which befogs the mind.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

Islam takes an uncompromising stand in prohibiting intoxicants, regardless of whether the amount is little or much. If an individual is permitted to take but a single step along this road, other steps follow; he starts walking and then running, and does not stop at any stage. That is why the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Of that which intoxicates in a large amount, a small amount isharam.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)

And again, “If a bucketful intoxicates, a sip of it isharam.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)”