Marijuana, Islam, and My Life...

Salaam Brothers and Sisters!

So I am new to these forums, and I consider myself to be a pretty good Muslim in most cases (but who is to judge that but Allah), but I have found myself falling into a habit that is regarded as haram in our religion.

Of course, this habit I am talking about is Marijuana. I have read many reasons as to why marijuana is haram in Islam, but I feel as if people are misguided on the drug. I am not encouraging the drug, but instead I am trying to gain knowledge, and persuasion in a way to get me out of this habit.

Firstly, I don't smoke much, probably once every weekend, sometimes only 2 times a month. I never saw the harm in smoking Marijuana and I still do not, but I don't want to be committing a sin, I do believe in Allah and the Quran.

Now this is what I don't understand, in the Quran it says that we are not allowed to consume anything that intoxicates our mind. Alcohol is a clear indicator of intoxicating the mind, but Marijuana has a completely different effect. I feel more creative, more open, accepting of life, etc. Before I started smoking, I wasn't really close to Allah, but as I started smoking more and more I felt His presence around me and I noticed myself becoming a better person overall.

I started to listen to my mom, started praying 4-5 times a day opposed to 0, I stopped being lazy and made more of my life. I started researching Islam and have bettered myself to what the Quran says. I'll be honest, I had a gf before I started smoking, once I started smoking I broke it off with her, I didn't want the sin of any act before marriage on my conscious or to be showed on the Day of Judgement.

Now, I hear everyone saying that Marijuana is haram... why? It's made my life (obviously it was the will of Allah to improve my life) so much better! I feel so much better about myself, and even my family says that I have become a better person. (They have no idea I smoke)

Why is it that this drug, that seems to enhance my mind and life, get such a bad rep in our religion? It doesn't make sense!!!

Imagine this scenario:

You come home unexpectedly and discover your mother has been secretly smoking marijuana every other Wednesday,

Would your attitude about her be changed?

Now stop and ponder over the thought that Allaah(swt) knows every puff you ever smoked and he knows even the unknowteced effects it has on you.

Woodrow said:

Imagine this scenario:

You come home unexpectedly and discover your mother has been secretly smoking marijuana every other Wednesday,

Would your attitude about her be changed?

Now stop and ponder over the thought that Allaah(swt) knows every puff you ever smoked and he knows even the unknowteced effects it has on you.

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Well, to be completely honest, sometimes I feel as if my mom should smoke. She is always complaining about how crappy her life has been, and how she's gone through so much pain. I feel as if she smoked, she would learn to accept that life is in fact a blessing and she should learn to appreciate it instead of complaining how bad it was.

The second part you say scares me to an extent, but I have never had an impure though whilst smoking, most of my thoughts have opened my mind to the thought of Allah, also researching science and relating it to religion. My mind was blown.

Why don't you just stop smoking and see if what effects does quit smoking weed have on you?

Don't you get suspicious that you can only improve your life just because you are smoking?

I know that many people have chemical imbalances which are "balanced" by medications (that's why drugs such as prozac and other beta blockers are very popular because they make people feel good), so do you think that smoking weed have similar effects on you?

As Allah SWT says in the Qur'an that even in intoxicants there are benefits but their negative side effects (which we are not fully aware of, or directly observable) outweighs their beneficial properties, so that's why all intoxicants (alcohol, drugs) are made haraam.

Another thing, you may feel your life has improved when you started smoking weed, but what about the long term impacts?
and I am not talking about physical health, but far more importantly, your psychological and emotional health. Sure, it does look like it has no negative effects NOW, but you never know what kind of subtle changes it is already making on your judgements already.
Trust me, I am drawing from my own personal experiences.

I think these are the kinds of issues that you need to seriously consider.

Now this is what I don't understand, in the Quran it says that we are not allowed to consume anything that intoxicates our mind. Alcohol is a clear indicator of intoxicating the mind, but Marijuana has a completely different effect.

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I have a hard time believing this my friend. Everyone I have known who smokes marijuana seems to become less motivated to work and in fact a bit lazy. When I was in college, I tried it and did not like the effect it had on my mind. I felt less "sharp" at times so I quit it and didn't miss it at all. I understand that at times it causes you to think differently, and perhaps helps somewhat creatively, but there is no doubt that it dulls your senses overall. Would you feel comfortable driving your car knowing that others on the road had been smoking marijuana? Would you want someone working for you who had a habit of smoking it? Of course not. What about if you left your kids with a babysitter and you found out that they smoked marijuana?
Just let it go. Go without it for a month and see if you are blessed. I predict you will realize it was a mistake to use it.

:wa:

Well the thing that gives you peace is NOT drugs... rather Peace comes when you Remember Allah (Swt) much...


(13:28) Verily in the Zikr (Remembrance) of Allah do hearts find rest.


Just like Brother in Islam Rabi said.. go without it for a month and see yourself.... you wont be able to pray without it, you wont be able to work without, you wont be able to stay at peace without it, it would be very difficult for you to live without it...... so you are not Independent, rather you are dependent on this World, and to work your way towards God you need to be independent of ALL things besides Him (swt)...


(5:100) Say "there is no comparison between the bad things and the good things, even though very many of the bad things may please you Greatly! Be Conscious of God you are endowed with insight, so you might attain a happy state."


Marijuana is a Drug, and even though it pleases you alot it is very very bad for you. Being Conscious of God is the Best Tool to use to be close to God. The drugs and intoxicants, hinders your ability to make decision and affects your ability to fully use your mind and intellect. There fore resulting in affecting your Consciousness of Allah (swt).... drugs DO give you a relax feel for sometimes BUT they hinder your though process and that is why we come across signs like "Dont Drink and Drive" ... or ... "Dont Smoke and drive"... etc...

The One who created you, knows you better and tells you that to attain to a happy state, the best tool is God Consciousness..... and the Zikr (rememberance) also helps keep you Conscious of your Lord... which in turn keeps you at peace within yourself...


Compare yourself with the One who is Responsible in regards to family and praying but does not smoke Marijuana .... now imagine what will be if you don't get Marijuana.... he would still be fine and doing all that he was doing before... but you would be paranoid and will NOT be able to continue...

Salaamz

Firstly, I just want to say thank you for being open and honest in your post, that was really brave of you. Secondly, I think the feeling of euphoria that you get after smoking maybe just all in your head or perpetuated by shaytaan himself and is a by-product of smoking. Try cutting dwn on smoking and then stopping altogether, inshallah you'll find that you can still experience that feeling of happiness purely from the rembrance of Allah; without the need for taking such drugs.. P.s I'm sorry but I don't really have any solid knowledge on why smoking nd such should be allowed Islam..sorry!

JamesBond007 said:

Firstly, I don't smoke much, probably once every weekend, sometimes only 2 times a month. I never saw the harm in smoking Marijuana and I still do not, but I don't want to be committing a sin, I do believe in Allah and the Quran.

Now this is what I don't understand, in the Quran it says that we are not allowed to consume anything that intoxicates our mind. Alcohol is a clear indicator of intoxicating the mind, but Marijuana has a completely different effect. I feel more creative, more open, accepting of life, etc. Before I started smoking, I wasn't really close to Allah, but as I started smoking more and more I felt His presence around me and I noticed myself becoming a better person overall.

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Effect of marijuana is different than effect of alcohol, also different than effect of drugs.

I understand if you feel marijuana makes you feel better. That is effect of marijuana. But actually this is because you are a beginner in smoking marijuana. You don't know yet what would happen in your future if you still smoke it.

Brother, may I know what's your cause to smoke marijuana ?. Follow a life style ?, run from problem ?, just want to have a new experience ?, or another cause ?.
And how can you get marijuana ?. Different than cigarette, you need an access to buy marijuana, I know it. Or you get it from your friend ?.

Don't be hesitate to tell me, I will not judge you. I understand marijuana smokers because I was one of them.

So I just wrote a HUGE reply that took me 2 hours, and when I submitted it, my account was logged off :raging:!!!!!!

All in all, I was defending Marijuana, but I would like to REALLY know why it is haram. Can someone give me a clear cut answer as to why?

I have read the harms and benefits on various websites, but they all seem to be overtly exaggerated.

Guys, I do like the drug, last time I smoked was the week of May 20, I haven't had the time since. I only smoke weekends, never weekdays. I don't feel any different, but I do feel as if I'm a better person overall. I do miss smoking, but I do not need it.

I started after taking a class in college, my professor was an open smoker, and would come to class high and discuss life with us, it really blew my mind away.

I just don't see how it intoxicates the mind, I don't see how it harms me. No one has died from the drug. I would love to know the reasons.

Weren't Muslims one of the leading Hash (100% THC) contributors in the world at one point?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_intoxication

I think it's most reasonable to call the state of being high as intoxicated. Whether you feel more creative or not or whether you feel you have mind blowing conversations when you're high does not change the fact that you're intoxicated. Now the harms and benefits of weed are always debatable. Certainly there are people who abuse Weed and it harms their life (I know a few people like that) and there are other people who smoke it occasionally just to chill out. I think the best answer, and this goes for all controversial rules in religion is that, if you really love God and your religion (whatever it may be) then you ought to sacrifice something you enjoy. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, mohammed was asked to sacrifice his position in society, jesus was crucified (or not according to Islam). My point is, you shouldn't look for a reason for every rule that is given to you by God; somethings you ought to do simply for the sake of God and when it's something so simple as not smoking weed then even more reason to abandon it.

Now don't think I am saying just follow without questioning your beliefs; what I am saying is that there's something extraordinary when a human can give up a simple pleasure of life just for the sake of God and perhaps you should think about the forbidding of marijuana from that perspective rather than from a consequentalist (judging the rightness or wrongness of an action by consequences that entail from the action) perspective.

(2:195) and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good.

marijuana has twenty times the carcinogens in cigarettes, plus can contribute greatly to memory loss perhaps that is why you can't retain simple information or engage in lucid dialogue?.. if you continue to get away with doing an illegal drug then perhaps you should sign up for a case study where we see long term sequela if you believe there isn't enough evidence of its harm..

I am curious to which university and class you are a part of? if you feel strongly that this is normal then I am sure you wouldn't mind sharing such info with us?-- I don't suspect most people enjoy being a part of a class where the professor rolls in stoned.. most people who enroll in college probably care about their education and how they spend their money!

all the best

2:219 THEY WILL ASK thee about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: "In both there is great evil as well as some benefit for man; but the evil which they cause is greater than the benefit which they bring." And they will ask thee as to what they should spend [in God's cause]. Say: "Whatever you can spare." In this way God makes clear unto you His messages, so that you might reflect2:219

Quran has all the answers.

it will lead to pyschosis, ive seen it many a time

Note I am not a scholar and neither am I am an ideal person but here my advice, Think of it as this : You need marijuana to appreciate the life God has given you.So , according to you when you are conscious you don't like the life which you have? Ponder about this.

Weren't Muslims one of the leading Hash (100% THC) contributors in the world at one point?

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the difference between Modern Western Secular Civilization of today and Islamic Civilization of the past is that, our contribution towards are Sciences was high and no doubt the world did benefit from that knowledge to progress further..... HOWEVER Muslims during those times were guided by Divine Revelation in whatever discoveries they made, that guidance of Divine Revelations made good use and beneficial use of those discoveries rather than misuse them....


and if you speak of a Group called Hashashins .... that was a group of Outlaws in the Muslim World and a minority following Misguided teachings... they were not following Islam...

Lynx said:

I think it's most reasonable to call the state of being high as intoxicated. Whether you feel more creative or not or whether you feel you have mind blowing conversations when you're high does not change the fact that you're intoxicated. Now the harms and benefits of weed are always debatable. Certainly there are people who abuse Weed and it harms their life (I know a few people like that) and there are other people who smoke it occasionally just to chill out. I think the best answer, and this goes for all controversial rules in religion is that, if you really love God and your religion (whatever it may be) then you ought to sacrifice something you enjoy. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, mohammed was asked to sacrifice his position in society, jesus was crucified (or not according to Islam). My point is, you shouldn't look for a reason for every rule that is given to you by God; somethings you ought to do simply for the sake of God and when it's something so simple as not smoking weed then even more reason to abandon it.

Now don't think I am saying just follow without questioning your beliefs; what I am saying is that there's something extraordinary when a human can give up a simple pleasure of life just for the sake of God and perhaps you should think about the forbidding of marijuana from that perspective rather than from a consequentalist (judging the rightness or wrongness of an action by consequences that entail from the action) perspective.

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Just to get your opinion, why is it safe to call the state of being high an intoxication?

I do like your reasoning though, but that still doesn't answer my question as WHY it is haram. I would give up anything for Allah, especially Marijuana, but I also like having a clear understanding on why I am giving it up. No one has really provided such a reason.

τhε ṿαlε'ṡ lïlÿ;1346079 said:

(2:195) and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good.

marijuana has twenty times the carcinogens in cigarettes, plus can contribute greatly to memory loss perhaps that is why you can't retain simple information or engage in lucid dialogue?.. if you continue to get away with doing an illegal drug then perhaps you should sign up for a case study where we see long term sequela if you believe there isn't enough evidence of its harm..

I am curious to which university and class you are a part of? if you feel strongly that this is normal then I am sure you wouldn't mind sharing such info with us?-- I don't suspect most people enjoy being a part of a class where the professor rolls in stoned.. most people who enroll in college probably care about their education and how they spend their money!

all the best

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Attacking someone's intellect is looked down upon on most forums...

Marijuana is an illegal drug, there are over 11 million users in America alone. It will, in time, be legalized in the USA as it has been in countries around the world. I find the fact of it being illegal as retarded, to be honest. It is less harmful than cigarettes, cigars, and hookah, yet all three of those are legal and widely used by Muslims.

I attend Penn State University, I am a Biology major with a Sociology minor and Alhamdulillah Allah has blessed me with good grades.

Shakoor15 said:

2:219 THEY WILL ASK thee about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: "In both there is great evil as well as some benefit for man; but the evil which they cause is greater than the benefit which they bring." And they will ask thee as to what they should spend [in God's cause]. Say: "Whatever you can spare." In this way God makes clear unto you His messages, so that you might reflect2:219

Quran has all the answers.

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Quran does have all the answers and it is a beautiful book! But this can be interpreted and wrongly interpreted for a number of things.

Alcohol is a clear interpretation.

nightstar said:

it will lead to pyschosis, ive seen it many a time

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lol...

zakirs said:

Note I am not a scholar and neither am I am an ideal person but here my advice, Think of it as this : You need marijuana to appreciate the life God has given you.So , according to you when you are conscious you don't like the life which you have? Ponder about this.

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You don't need to be a scholar to base an opinon! All is welcome!

I love my life consciously or high, I do love my life more under the influence, but that is the effect that the drug brings. But, I am fully conscious when I am high...

syed_z said:

the difference between Modern Western Secular Civilization of today and Islamic Civilization of the past is that, our contribution towards are Sciences was high and no doubt the world did benefit from that knowledge to progress further..... HOWEVER Muslims during those times were guided by Divine Revelation in whatever discoveries they made, that guidance of Divine Revelations made good use and beneficial use of those discoveries rather than misuse them....


and if you speak of a Group called Hashashins .... that was a group of Outlaws in the Muslim World and a minority following Misguided teachings... they were not following Islam...

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Interesting topic, would you mind discussing this in further detail? It is amazing how Muslims have a history themselves and we fail to read into it.


Lastly, as I stated earlier, cigarettes, cigars, HOOKAH, and other tobacco products are so widely used by Muslims, even some huge scholars. They ALL give a person a buzz and are much more dangerous to a person than marijuana is. Why are these not grilled on in Islam like Marijuana is?

Interesting topic, would you mind discussing this in further detail? It is amazing how Muslims have a history themselves and we fail to read into it.


Lastly, as I stated earlier, cigarettes, cigars, HOOKAH, and other tobacco products are so widely used by Muslims, even some huge scholars. They ALL give a person a buzz and are much more dangerous to a person than marijuana is. Why are these not grilled on in Islam like Marijuana is?

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Yes Muslims do have good and bad , and guided and misguided people among them... and have had them in the past... which ever Scholar permits of Smoking being ok, is a pseudo Scholar... and if you have come across them, please provide me Proof from Quran and Sunnah (teachings of prophet)... which they gave you to give legal opinion about Smoking being 'Halaal (legal)'.... majority of Scholars have given a ruling against It...

About ciggarettes being used in Muslim World, is correct, however in Islam it is Illegal... so if Muslim government don't do anything about it... thats their fault and they will be answerable to Allah (swt)...

JamesBond007 said:

Attacking someone's intellect is looked down upon on most forums...

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doing and promoting drugs is looked down upon not merely on forums but in the real world as well!

Marijuana is an illegal drug, there are over 11 million users in America alone. It will, in time, be legalized in the USA as it has been in countries around the world. I find the fact of it being illegal as retarded, to be honest. It is less harmful than cigarettes, cigars, and hookah, yet all three of those are legal and widely used by Muslims.

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It is an illegal drug, and I doubt that the legality will go beyond medical therapeutics for cancer patients to take some of the edge of, which is still very doubtful given other more potent treatment modalities! It isn't less harmful than cigarettes of hookahs!-- and the same general Islamic principles apply here if we are speaking 'Islamically' doing your body harm isn't condoned nor encouraged in Islam!

I attend Penn State University, I am a Biology major with a Sociology minor and Alhamdulillah Allah has blessed me with good grades.

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very good, please give us the name of your professor that comes into class stoned if you don't mind?

all the best

Just to get your opinion, why is it safe to call the state of being high an intoxication?

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Well I provided a link to explain why marijuana high is considered intoxication. It alters the mind in such a way that it is intoxicated. You seem to liken intoxication with being drunk but the definition of intoxication is having an altered mind state by injecting or consuming a chemical. I can't think of any other word to describe getting high besides intoxication & I don't think anyone can seriously say they getting high is different from intoxication.

I do like your reasoning though, but that still doesn't answer my question as WHY it is haram. I would give up anything for Allah, especially Marijuana, but I also like having a clear understanding on why I am giving it up. No one has really provided such a reason.

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Not everything in the Quran that is forbidden has a reason why it's forbidden because the ethical system of the Quran does not work like that. You are a servant of God and you have a duty to obey God; whether or not you find harms in a particular forbidden action is not completely relevant. The problem is you are confusing 'haram' with 'harmful' which are not synonymous. Somethings are haram and you should follow it for the sake of God. And of course, there are negative consequences to smoking weed but my point is even if there aren't any, the rule is still that weed is haram.

Quran does have all the answers and it is a beautiful book! But this can be interpreted and wrongly interpreted for a number of things.

Alcohol is a clear interpretation.

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Okay a couple of things here.

1) the word used in the Quran to describe intoxicants is khamr. Here are quotes from the prophet of Allah (saw) and umar ibn al khattab (ra)

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: " Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram."
Umar, the second Khalifah of the Prophet, declared from the pulpit of the Prophet: "Khamr is that which befogs the mind."

2) weed does befog the mind.

Studies of marijuana's mental effects show that the drug can impair or reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things which require concentration, swift reactions, and coordination, such as driving a car or operating machinery.

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I understand you like weed and think it makes you better but why don't you try to not use it and see if you become a bad person. I seriously doubt that leaving marijuana will turn you into a bad human being.

And you asked why weed is haram. The answer is "because Allah says so".