Question # 299: I received a whatsapp which suggested that one should drink Nabeez to get rid of acidity during Ramadan. It also said Nabeez’ [Nabidh] was one of the drinks consumed by the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam). In his time, it was typically made with dates or raisins and water. Is this authentic?

Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) used to drink Nabeedh, and the scholars are unanimously agreed that it is permissible. However, the fuqaha’ agreed over its permissibility, if either dry dates, fresh dates or raisins, each one of these are soaked in water on its own (separately) and as long as it does not cause intoxication. Hence, if three days have passed according to the well-known view, even if it has not fermented; it still becomes haraam to drink. Further, Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) forbade the preparation of Nabeedh in varnished jar, green pitcher (besmeared with pitch), gourd, and hollow stump.

Long Answer: The fuqaha’ are agreed that with regard to dry dates, fresh dates and raisins, if each one of these on its own is soaked in water, then it is permissible to drink that water, so long as it will not cause intoxication, and this is what is called nabeedh.

Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه) said: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) came on his mount, with Usaamah behind him, and asked for something to drink. We gave him a vessel of nabeedh and he drank it, and he gave his leftovers to Usaamah to drink, and he said: “You have done good and have done well. Carry on doing that.” (Narrated by Muslim)

It was narrated that Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) said: The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Whoever among you drinks nabeedh, let him drink it made from raisins on their own, or dried dates on their own, or unripe dates on their own.” (Narrated by Muslim)

Abu Qatada, on the authority of his father, reported Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Do not prepare Nabeedh by mixing nearly ripe dates and fresh dates together, and do not prepare Nabeedh by mixing grapes and dates together, but prepare Nabeedh from each (one of them) separately. (Narrated by Muslim)

Rather this nabeedh is prohibited if it becomes strong and turns into khamr (wine, intoxicant). But before it becomes strong, drinking it is permissible.

It was narrated that Bassam said: “I asked Abu Ja’far about Nabeedh and he said: ” ‘Ali bin Husain (رضي الله عنه), would have Nabeedh made for him at night, and he would drink it in the morning, and he would have Nabeedh made in the morning and he would drink it at night.'” (Sunan an-Nasa’i; graded sahih)

Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Is grape juice, orange juice and so on haraam or not? The answer is: It is undoubtedly halal, unless it has begun to ferment and developed foam on top, in which case it is haraam, or if three days have passed according to the well-known view, even if it has not fermented; it still becomes haraam.

They said: That is because after three days, juice usually ferments, and because fermentation may not be apparent, the ruling is based on what usually happens, which is that fermentation occurs after three days. But the correct view is something other than that. The correct view is that it does not become haraam after three days, especially in cold countries. But if it is in a hot country, then after three days it should be examined, and to be on the safe side it should be avoided and given to animals and the like, because there is the fear that it may have fermented without you realizing. (ash-Sharh al-Mumti‘ ‘ala Zaad al-Mustaqni‘)

‘A’isha (رضي الله عنها) reported Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) forbidding (the preparation of Nabeedh) in varnished jar, green pitcher (besmeared with pitch), gourd, and hollow stump. (Narrated by Muslim) It was narrated that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah said: “Nabeedh would be made for the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) in a vessel of stone.” (Sunan Ibn Majah’ graded sahih)

(Most part of the above reply is based on various answers provided by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid on the topic)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam