Initially, Islam didn't universally ban coffee. A specific instance of a ban occurred in Mecca in 1511. Khair Beg, the Governor of Mecca, banned coffee because he perceived it as a dangerous substance.
Reasons for the Ban
- Perceived as a Dangerous Drug: Khair Beg considered coffee a dangerous drug that stimulated radical thinking.
- Similarity to Alcohol: He equated coffee to wine, which is prohibited in the Quran, due to its stimulating effects.
Essentially, the ban was a localized decision based on the governor's concerns about the social and political impact of coffee consumption.
