Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen rahimahullaah said in his explanation of ‘Bulooghul-Maraam‘ ‘Fathu Dhil-Jalaali wal-Ikraam‘ vol. 7 pp. 9-10:

Likewise the prohibition of alcohol was in four stages:

(1) The First Stage: Permissibility – although this is not considered from the stages – as it was based upon the original principle [i.e. the original principle regarding all affairs before Islaam was permissibility, until the Legislation came with a proof lifting that and stating otherwise]. However Allaah mentioned that in His saying – He the Most High –:

وَمِن ثَمَرَاتِ النَّخِيلِ وَالْأَعْنَابِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًا

Sooratun-Nahl; (16):67

[[Meaning: And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines you take intoxicant and good provision.]]

(2) Then the Second Stage: in His saying:

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ ۖ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا

Sooratul-Baqarah; (2):219

[[Meaning: They ask you O Muhammad, concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: “In them is a great sin, and some benefit for people, but their sin is greater than their benefit.”]]

(3) Then the Third Stage:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا مَا تَقُولُونَ

Sooratun-Nisaa·; (4):43

[[Meaning: O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying.]]

Then the Fourth Stage:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

Sooratul-Maa·idah; (5):90

[[Meaning: O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, sacrificing on stone alters, and arrows for seeking luck or decision are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So strictly avoid all of that in order that you may be successful.]]