It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the prohibition of alcohol occurred in three different stages. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah, people used to drink alcohol and also consume gambling money. They asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about these things, so Allah revealed this verse: "They ask you about alcohol and gambling. Say: In both of them is great sin and some benefit for people." People said that in this verse, alcohol has not been declared forbidden; Allah has only said that there is great sin in them. Thus, they continued to drink alcohol. Until one day, a companion from among the Muhajireen led the people in Maghrib prayer, and (due to intoxication) he made a mistake in the recitation. Upon this, Allah revealed a stricter verse than before: "O you who believe! Do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying." People still continued to drink alcohol, but they would come for prayer only when they were in their senses. After this, in the third stage, an even stricter verse was revealed: "O you who believe! Alcohol, gambling, idols, and divining arrows are impure things and the work of Satan, so avoid them so that you may be successful." Upon the revelation of this verse, people said, "O our Lord, now we have refrained." Then some people submitted, "O Messenger of Allah! Some people who were martyred in the way of Allah or died naturally, and they used to drink alcohol and consume gambling money (what will become of them) when Allah has declared these things impure and the work of Satan?" Upon this, Allah revealed this verse: "Those who believed and did righteous deeds, there is no blame upon them for what they consumed before, provided they are now mindful and believers." And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If alcohol had been forbidden in their time, they too would have refrained from it just as you have (so there is no need to worry)."