Where does the Quran forbid alcohol?

The gradual steps

Drinking was deeply rooted in Arabian life, so the Quran led people away from it step by step. Scholars usually describe four stages:

• A first hint (16:67): the Quran lists "intoxicants as well as wholesome provision" as things people get from dates and grapes. By setting them side by side, it signals they are not the same thing (Quran 16:67).
• Harm outweighs benefit (2:219): asked about intoxicants and gambling, the Prophet ﷺ was told to say "there is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people, but the evil outweighs the benefit" (Quran 2:219).
• Not near prayer (4:43): believers were told not to approach prayer while intoxicated, until they know what they are saying (Quran 4:43). Since prayer is five times a day, this made regular drinking very hard.
• Full prohibition (5:90-91): the final verses.

The final ruling

The next verse explains the wisdom: Satan wants to stir up hostility and hatred through intoxicants and gambling, and to keep people from remembering Allah and praying (Quran 5:91). It ends with the question "Will you not then abstain?"

The Companions responded at once. Anas ibn Malik reported that when the announcement of the prohibition reached them, the wine in their houses was poured out and ran through the streets of Madinah (Sahih al-Bukhari 4620).

Does it cover beer and spirits?

Yes. The Arabic word khamr is translated as "intoxicants", and the Prophet ﷺ made it general: "Every intoxicant is khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden" (Sahih Muslim 2003). So beer, spirits and any other drink that intoxicates are covered, whatever they are made from. This is the position of mainstream scholarship. For questions about small traces, such as in food or flavourings, see Is vanilla extract haram because it has alcohol? and Can I still drink non-alcoholic beer as a Muslim?

Why it matters in daily life

If you grew up drinking, the Quran's gradual approach is a comfort. Islam does not expect everything to change overnight, but once you are Muslim, you step away from alcohol entirely. The Prophet ﷺ also warned that whoever drinks alcohol in this world and does not repent will be deprived of it in the Hereafter (Sahih al-Bukhari 5575), so sincere repentance matters. See Can Muslims drink alcohol?