بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Most Muslims understand that consuming any alcoholic substance is forbidden. However, we find today that there are also many who say that drugs such as Marijuana are acceptable and the use of alcohol is not directly forbidden in the Qur’an. These Muslims make various claims to try and make these illicit substances permissible.
There is a misconception in our religion that “the Qur’an does not mention anything about drugs, it only mentions alcohol and it does not directly say it is haram”. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah ], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.
Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?” 5:90-91
Allah clearly tells us that intoxicants are the work of the Shaytan. The word used is “khamr” which is derived from the word “khimar” which means “to cover”. Intoxicants “cover” the mind, taking the user out of their normal mental state. This in turn pushes the mind away from remembering Allah which means one will be capable of performing all other sins without even realising it – it is known as the key to all evils. Allah mentions the prayer as well specifically to highlight the severity of this sin; it pushes away the prayer and in turn user’s belief will go with it.
Now the questions is, what covers the mind in such a manner? Almost all drugs including alcohol and what the West deems to be “soft drugs” intoxicate the mind. This does not only include illegal drugs but also legal substances such as morphine; if it used outside of the prescription of a registered doctor it will be classed as impermissible in Islam. Only out of necessity for one’s health may these be administered by professionals. Many over the counter pills are in the same category.
Allah also says in the Qur’an:
“They ask you about wine [intoxicants] and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’ And they ask you what they should spend. Say, ‘The excess [beyond needs].’ Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought.” 2:219
The fact is that we all know what an intoxicant is and if we are taking them in the haram manner, and we all understand the physical harms alongside the spiritual issues. Allah does not prohibit something without there being benefit for us. He is the creator, He knows His creation better than we know ourselves.
Allah knows best.