O you who acknowledge, intoxicants, and gambling, and altars, and arrows of chance are tools of affliction used by the devil. You shall avoid him so that you may be successful.
Translation endnotes
[5:90] Hamr is derived from the verb that means, "to cover," and is used for all intoxicants and drugs that cover the mind. Translating it as "wine" limits its intended reference. While accepting some benefits of intoxicants, the Quran prohibits its intake (2:219). This prohibition is categorical and the Quran does not recommend the slippery and deceptive measure known as "drinking in moderation." The Quran does not legally prohibit alcohol though. It is up to society to regulate its consumption. The societies that lack strict moral or religious norms against alcohol pay a hefty price in terms of loss and problems with economy, social life, relationships, health, and personal happiness. See 2:219. The word ansab denotes altars and shrines. For instance, worshipping Kaba, which was originally a temple built to worship God alone violates the principles of monotheism. Kaba is not a holy building, but merely a historic point for the annual conference of Monotheists. Visiting a place to commemorate God does not mean idolizing such a place. The black stone next to Kaba, which was perhaps originally used as a marker to indicate the start of circumvolution, is another big idol with millions of worshipers. Muhammed's grave, which did not exist during the revelation of the Quran, is too one of the most popular idols in the world. All these shrines and stones are within the reference set of the word ansab. Contrary to unequivocal verses of the Quran, millions of Sunnis and Shiites worship rocks, stones, shrines, and the rotten bones of their idols. See 2:48; 25:3.