The famous and pious Seljuk ruler, Sultaan Noorud Deen Zangi (rahimahullah), had a son named Ismaa‘eel. Ismaa‘eel was a pious and intelligent youngster who was greatly loved by the people of Halab (Aleppo). During the month of Rajab in the year 577 A.H., Ismaa‘eel fell ill with colitis. This illness led to his demise that very year, and he passed away at the tender age of nineteen.
It is mentioned that during his illness, the physicians treating him prescribed a small amount of wine as his medication. However, he refused to use the wine saying, “I cannot take it until I first consult the Fuqahaa (jurists).”
He thus referred the mas-alah (shar‘ee ruling) to certain ‘Ulama who told him that it was permissible for him (as there was no halaal alternative, and his condition was life-threatening). However, he was still reluctant to take the wine.
He then went to the renowned ‘Aalim, ‘Allaamah Abu Bakr Kaasaani (rahimahullah) and asked him regarding the mas-alah. ‘Allaamah Kaasaani (rahimahullah) also gave him the ruling that in his case, it was permissible (due to the urgent circumstance and lack of a halaal alternative).
Ismaa‘eel then addressed ‘Allaamah Kaasaani (rahimahullah) and asked, “Tell me, if Allah Ta‘ala has decreed the moment of my death as being close, will drinking wine extend my lifespan in any way (and allow me to live longer)?” ‘Allaamah Kaasaani (rahimahullah) replied, “No.”
Ismaa‘eel declared, “By Allah! I do not wish to meet Allah Ta‘ala in the condition that I have taken something that He made haraam upon me!”
He thus refrained from using the alcohol and passed away shortly thereafter.
(Shazaraatuz Zahab vol. 6, pg. 425)
Lessons:
1. It should be borne in mind that it was permissible for Ismaa‘eel to take the alcohol in this situation, as his illness was life-threatening and there was no halaal alternative. However, he still excercised extreme caution and refrained from taking it. He had such a disgust for haraam and alcohol that he was prepared to lose his life rather than allow a drop of alcohol to pass his lips.
2. Ismaa‘eel ensured that he consulted with the ‘Ulama before making any decision regarding the alcohol. Similarly, throughout our lives, when we are confronted with any situation or problem, we must ensure that we consult with the rightly-guided ‘Ulama so that we can avoid making a decision that will displease Allah Ta‘ala.
3. When a person’s priority is his own comfort and convenience, then he will go ‘fatwa-shopping’, hopping from mufti-to-mufti until he finally gets the fatwa that suits him. As for Ismaa‘eel, he only turned to ‘Allaamah Kaasaani (rahimahullah) for further assurance as he was afraid of falling into haraam.
4. Ismaa‘eel had firm and concrete conviction that when death is decreed, nothing can avert it. If his dying was decreed, then this would happen, regardless of whether he drank the wine or not. Thus, it would be better to die and meet Allah Ta‘ala without taking the wine. Therefore, it was his firm imaan that prompted him to conduct himself in this manner.