Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Drinking alcohol is one of the major sins, and a person who dies persisting in it without repentance is in great danger. However, a person does not leave Islam merely by drinking alcohol, as long as he remains a believing monotheist and does not regard it as permissible.
Will a person who drinks alcohol enter Hell?
A person who drinks alcohol is included in the warnings concerning those who commit major sins, and Allah may punish him by admitting him into Hell. However, it is not permissible to state with certainty that a specific person will enter Hell, because this is subject to Allah’s will.
Allah may forgive him because of:
· Sincere repentance.
· An abundance of good deeds.
· Supplication and seeking forgiveness.
· Afflictions that expiate sins.
· Or through Allah’s pardon and mercy.
Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives anything less than that for whom He wills.”
An-Nisa: 48.
Will he remain in Hell forever?
If a Muslim who believes in the Oneness of Allah enters Hell because of a major sin, he will not remain there forever. Rather, he may be punished according to his sin, after which Allah will bring him out and admit him into Paradise. Eternal punishment in Hell is for the disbelievers.
Conclusion
A person who drinks alcohol commits a grave major sin. If he dies without repentance, he is subject to Allah’s will: Allah may pardon him or may punish him. But if he enters Hell, he will not remain there forever as long as he died upon Tawhid. Therefore, one must hasten to repent and not be deceived by the vastness of Allah’s mercy, for Allah’s punishment is severe, and none feels secure from His plan except the losers.
And Allah knows best.