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Why did some Islamic authorities oppose coffee drinking?

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Some Islamic authorities opposed coffee drinking because they pronounced the beverage to be intoxicating, leading them to argue that it was prohibited by the Qur'an.12

Additionally, political and religious leaders were often wary of the coffeehouse culture that emerged alongside the drink's popularity. These establishments became hubs for social gatherings where people engaged in free and frank discourse, played games, and discussed politics and news. Leaders feared this environment, though their attempts to ban coffeehouses were ultimately unsuccessful as the beverage had become deeply ingrained in daily social and cultural rituals.2