Drinking alcohol is a hudud offence in Islamic law and is punished in Saudi Arabia. Drinking itself is distinguished from possessing, making, selling or smuggling alcohol. This page explains the ruling, the penalty, how it is proven, the difference between hadd and ta'zir, and what it means for residents.
Reviewed by: Ahmed Hasan AlShehriAttorney at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
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The hadd penalty
The hadd for drinking is flogging; scholars differ between forty and eighty lashes. It applies under its conditions when drinking is proven by valid evidence, and hudud are averted by doubt. The Supreme Court circular replacing flogging with prison or fines concerns discretionary (ta'zir) flogging, not fixed hudud penalties.
How it is proven
By a valid confession or legal evidence; other indications such as testing are weighed by the judge. Defence looks at the confession and any retraction, the legality of arrest and testing, and whether the substance was intoxicating.
When the hadd is not proven
Related acts that are proven, such as possession, manufacture, sale, smuggling or driving under the influence, are punished at the judge's discretion (ta'zir).
Residents
The penalties apply to residents as to citizens, and a conviction may affect residency. A resident needs a lawyer from the investigation stage who explains each step in their language. See hiring a lawyer in Saudi Arabia as an expat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the punishment for drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia?
The hadd is flogging (forty to eighty lashes, by scholarly difference) when drinking is proven; possession, sale or manufacture are punished by ta'zir.
Was flogging abolished for alcohol?
The circular concerns discretionary flogging; the hadd for drinking is a fixed penalty.
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Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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