THE young Muslims of today are facing an ever-increasing number of dilemmas. One of these is drugs. What does Islam have to say about it? How should Muslims regard drugs? To understand this we have to see what the Qur’an and Hadith say regarding intoxicants i.e. narcotics. Allah states in the Qur’an: O You who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. Avoid (such abominations) that you may prosper. (5:90) Allah has described intoxicants amongst other things as being appalling, despicable and hateful acts of Satan and he has commanded us to abstain from them, Allah thereafter states in the next verse:
Satan’s plan is to sow hatred and enmity amongst you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hamper you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you not give up? (5:91) This Ayah tells us how it is a detestable act of Satan, because intoxicants apart from sowing the seeds of enmity also stop you from the sole purpose of having been sent to the world, namely the remembrance of Allah. Bear in mind that when the term intoxicant is used it also encompasses narcotics, because they do among other things result in the loss of self-control. There are also many Hadiths of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in regards to intoxicants.
The following Hadith clearly states that the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited intoxicants. 1.”Every intoxicant is wine and every intoxicant is haram (unlawful). Whosoever drinks wine in this world and dies whilst consumed in it and does not repent will not drink it in the next world. (Muslim) 2.”Whosoever drinks wine, Allah will not accept his prayers for 40 days. If he seeks repentance Allah will forgive him. And if he repeats it Allah will not accept his prayers for 40 days. If he seeks repentance Allah will forgive him. And if he repeats it again Allah will not accept his prayer for 40 days. If he seeks repentance Allah will forgive him. If he repeats it for the fourth time Allah will not accept his prayers for 40 days. If he seeks repentance Allah will not accept it and he will be made to drink from the river of impurities (of the inmates of hell). 3.”Whatever intoxicates in a greater quantity is also unlawful in its smaller quantity.” 4.”One who is disobedient to parents, gambles, harsh after charity and is a habitual drunkard shall not enter paradise.” 5.”If a habitual drunkard dies, he will meet Allah like the one who worships idols.”
From the above Hadiths we can clearly see the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) and the Islamic view regarding intoxicants. In another Hadith the Prophet (PBUH) has described intoxicants as: 1. the key to all evils. 2. The head of all errors and lapses. 3. The terrible of major sins. 4. The mother of all atrocities. 5. The mother of all evils. Why are drugs, intoxicants so abhorrent, awful, foul and vile in Islam?
From the religious point of view it is as intoxicating as wine, it destroys the mind, causes forgetfulness, causes to reveal secrets, destroys shame, obliterates intelligence, prevents prayer and instigates towards Haram, forbidden things. From a physical aspect it deteriorates the mind, cuts off the means for offspring, brings about leprosy, sickness, feverish shivers, bad breath, loss of eyebrows and teeth, warming of blood, tuberculosis, damages intestines, destroys body organs, punctures the liver, burns the stomach and weakens eyesight amongst other things.
The point all botanists have unanimously agreed upon is that hashish (cannabis) is an intoxicant. Some might say that all drugs do not intoxicate, that drugs like heroin and hashish are only depressants which slackens and weakens the mind. The answer to this is in the following Hadith: The Prophet (PBUH) prohibited every intoxicant and every substance which slackens the mind. So far the prohibition of drugs has been proven by means of the Qur’an and Hadith. When a person is intoxicated (or ‘stoned’ in street language) he does not know what he is doing. He could easily kill someone or fornicate etc. In the same manner, to feed his habit, he will most probably have to steal. These are, without an iota of doubt, unlawful. And there is a general rule that whatever leads to something unlawful is in itself haram.
What is the legal punishment for consuming drugs? All the religious scholars of this period agree that its consumption is haram. However, there is a difference of opinion as to what (punishment) becomes incumbent for drugs; either had because it intoxicates or reprimand because it corrupts the mind. According to three prominent Imams consuming anything intoxicating however small the amount maybe will bring the legal punishment of 80 lashes to the person. Reprimand is such a punishment that holds no specific amount and it is for the Judge to decide. Bear in mind that according to some scholars, in certain cases, reprimand could prove to be more severe than the “border” itself e.g. Drugs are unlawful. It is necessary to abstain from them. They ruin people’s lives physically, mentally, morally and spiritually. If anyone is involved in drugs he should stop immediately and seek help. May Allah help and protect us all. Ameen
— The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
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