Sorry but while this may be well meant from the author it is just wrong. I'm arabic native speaker and can provide more details.
First the quran was revealed in a span of 23 years. And when dealing with drinking, the quran took a step by step approach. At first, a general warning was given to forbid Muslims from attending prayers while in a drunken state (Quran, 4:43).
"O you who believe! Do not approach the prayer while you are drunk, so that you know what you say"
Then a later verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad which said that while specifically alcohol had some medicinal benefits, the negative effects of it outweighed the good (Quran, 2:219).
"They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is gross sin in them, and some benefits for people, but their sinfulness outweighs their benefit.”"
Finally, “intoxicants and gambling” were called “abominations of Satan’s handiwork,” which warned people with self-consciousness to not turn away from God and forget about prayer, and Muslims were ordered to abstain (Quran, 5:90-91).
"90: O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry, and divination are abominations of Satan’s doing. Avoid them, so that you may prosper. 91: Satan wants to provoke strife and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer. Will you not desist?"
The Prophet Muhammad also instructed his companions to avoid any intoxicating substances (paraphrased), “if it intoxicates in a large amount, it is forbidden even in a small amount.” For this reason, most observant Muslims avoid alcohol in any form, even small amounts that are sometimes used in cooking.
Do you know how this is resolved or interpreted?
[1] https://www.quora.com/The-Quran-Do-later-teachings-and-verse...
The funny thing is that Taleb is making something of the same point, but still makes that mistake when it comes time to talk about theology.
I'll not proclaim to be an expert by any means.
This is a constant misunderstanding of what constitutes Islamic theology. Islamic teaching are made up of the Quran and Sunnah, the Holy text and ways and teachings of the Prophet Muhammed respectively; there is a whole science of hadith that form accept elements of the latter. This is the approach of the majority of Muslim communities.
There is an a sect of Islam that only followed the Quran but it has traditionally not been as widespread.