Cannabis - Requesting a summary of the point of views

Enoch

Hello, salam,

I have been leeching off this forum as i find it one of the most interesting one on Islam. This website surely might seem controversial to the mainstream muslims but i prefer seeking knowledge from everywhere than following blindly.

To get on the topic, i've had experiences with Cannabis in earlier years which intrigues me a bit nowadays. I personally have seen no bad side effects that is exclusively from Cannabis. Addiction and such can happen with fruits as much as with toys, money, women, drugs and i pass.

What got me into leaving the scene was from a book i've read. Be Here Now by Ram Dass was the book. The book is influenced by various cultures, religions, but hinduism was the primary influence. For those who do not know Ram Dass, he has worked for various researches on psychedelics and was one of the first to try LSD when it came out.

On a travel to India, Ram Dass brought LSD with him so that he could try it on a Yogi. He gave a good amount of LSD to a Yogi and to his surprise, the yogi remained sober and reported having no effects. From then, Ram Dass stopped most of his drug use, which was used as mind enhancements and ways to reach the so-called ''enlightenment''.

Now back to my point, i would like to know the two sides to Cannabis usage in Islam. I know that it is considered prohibited by some, makruh by others and acceptable by a minority.

For those who consume it regularly or occasionally, please let me know what convinced you to keep on consuming it.

For those who don't and who opposes to it's use, please let me know what convinced you that it is prohibited, makruh or so.

I'm asking this because my knowledge of the arabic language is non-existent, sadly. I cannot reason by myself on such precise topics since i am not aware of the words used in the Qu'ran. I have read french and english versions but i feel that the biggest part of the Qu'ran is missing in those versions. Only the exoteric part of the Qu'ran seems to be well preserved in those translations.

On a final note, i thank everyone on this forum for bringing in different point of views on Islam and hope that i will be able to get the information that will serve me well. Enjoy the rest of the Ramadan everyone!

FreedomStands

Nice posts, I'm anti "mind enhancing" drugs regardless of the Qur'an, but the Qur'an says

590-92
O YOU who have attained to faith! Intoxicants, and games of chance, and idolatrous practices, and the divining of the future are but a loathsome evil of Satan's doing' shun it, then, so that you might attain to a happy state!

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo innama alkhamru waalmaysiru waal-ansabu waal-azlamu rijsun min AAamali alshshaytani faijtaniboohu laAAallakum tuflihoona

zoom
Transliteration Innama yureedu alshshaytanu an yooqiAAa baynakumu alAAadawata waalbaghdaa fee alkhamri waalmaysiri wayasuddakum AAan thikri Allahi waAAani alssalati fahal antum muntahoona zoom
Literal
(Word by Word) Only the Shaitaan intends to cause between you enmity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling, and hinders you from (the) remembrance (of) Allah and from the prayer. So will you be the ones who abstain? zoom

Transliteration WaateeAAoo Allaha waateeAAoo alrrasoola waihtharoo fa-in tawallaytum faiAAlamoo annama AAala rasoolina albalaghu almubeenu zoom
Literal
(Word by Word) And obey Allah and obey the Messenger and beware. And if you turn away, then know only upon Our Messenger (is to) clearly convey (the Message).

1667
Transliteration Wamin thamarati alnnakheeli waal-aAAnabi tattakhithoona minhu sakaran warizqan hasanan inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yaAAqiloona zoom
Literal
(Word by Word) And from fruits the date-palm, and the grapes, you take from it intoxicant and a provision good. Indeed, in that (is) surely a Sign for a people who use reason.

2219
Transliteration Yas-aloonaka AAani alkhamri waalmaysiri qul feehima ithmun kabeerun wamanafiAAu lilnnasi wa-ithmuhuma akbaru min nafAAihima wayas-aloonaka matha yunfiqoona quli alAAafwa kathalika yubayyinu Allahu lakumu al-ayati laAAallakum tatafakkaroona zoom
Literal
(Word by Word) They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance Say, "In both of them (is) a sin great, and (some) benefits for people. But sin of both of them (is) greater than (the) benefit of (the) two." And they ask you what they (should) spend. Say, "The surplus." Thus makes clear Allah to you Verses so that you may ponder,

443
O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not attempt to pray while you are in a state of drunkenness, until you know what you are saying; nor yet in a state requiring total ablution, until you have bathed - except if you are travelling . But if you are ill, or are travelling, or have just satisfied a want of nature, or have cohabited with a woman, and can find no water - then take resort to pure dust, passing lightly over your face and your hands. Behold, God is indeed an absolver of sins, much-forgiving.

222 on the Day you see it, every nursing mother will think no more of her baby, every pregnant female will miscarry, you will think people are drunk when they are not, so severe will be God?s torment.

5619
by which their minds will not be clouded and which will not make them drunk;

Ok so with those examples, it seems the Qur'an has something against the "mental effects" of intoxicants, possibly most particularly alcohol but I'd include anything that messes with the mind. It also compares such a state to the life of disbelievers "groping along in their drunkeness" and stuff like that, but makes it that the paradise does not create the clouding effect or whatever that people tend to get with drugs (or else I guess they wouldn't be an issue really besides health effects), says not to approach prayers like that, says that intoxicants keep people from prayer, are Satan's handiwork or promotion, and so seems pretty strong evidence not to approach drugs that do that at all for recreational purposes, but other attitudes in the Qur'an seem to make such things possibly acceptable in cases of emergency or medical help, since people are allowed ease in medical issues in other verses or within emergency situations.

Now, apart from the Qur'an, I find that mind altering drugs can be misleading and dangerous, besides just any health effects which are known or not known or potential reactions an individual may have in particular (so taking a risk with oneself). I think that people should practice their mental clarity rather than having it fogged and thinking that its the truth, because drugs might have something of an effect similar to forms of psychosis or dreams how things seem to make sense or seem true while under the influence like they might in a dream until a person wakes up and realizes it makes no sense at all haha.

Anyway, thank you for joining the forum, if you want to talk to me in private and have potentially insightful dialogue on any topics you may be interested in, my email is [email protected] and from there I can also get you on Skype or whatever if you want to type more live and back to back.

Enoch

Thank you for your post, i will take it into account. I hope that i can get more responses from other people though.

Mikebloke

Freedomstands pretty much quotes the relevant verses; Cannabis is known to have detrimental effects to the brain, especially in minors and young adults who are still building connections in their brains between cells and essentially damaging that part of development. In terms of adulthood the effects appear to be smaller if not non-existent but no real long term studies have yet to be done in the effects of people who start smoking it in adulthood.

Based purely on the damage it does to the brain in young people, I would regard it as unlawful, no different to Tobacco and Alcohol. I've stopped Coffee because I believe it has negative effects to me without its continual consumption and I've been a lot healthier since stopping it, I'd say coffee is the borderline one out of the 4 but the other three there is no question in the severity of its use.

FreedomStands

Freedomstands pretty much quotes the relevant verses; Cannabis is known to have detrimental effects to the brain, especially in minors and young adults who are still building connections in their brains between cells and essentially damaging that part of development. In terms of adulthood the effects appear to be smaller if not non-existent but no real long term studies have yet to be done in the effects of people who start smoking it in adulthood.

Based purely on the damage it does to the brain in young people, I would regard it as unlawful, no different to Tobacco and Alcohol. I've stopped Coffee because I believe it has negative effects to me without its continual consumption and I've been a lot healthier since stopping it, I'd say coffee is the borderline one out of the 4 but the other three there is no question in the severity of its use.

I agree, thank you for posting that! I also think caffeine isn't very healthy for people, especially when they become caffeine dependent and experience withdrawals or negative effects while off of it, it is probably much healthier to avoid any substances like that for overall health. What isn't healthy could be consider "unwholesome" somewhat and should be avoided or kept at a minimum for one's own betterment, and the judgment in regard to the intricacies and things are left to our judgment based on how they might uniquely appear to effect our health.

Layth

Salam,

I hold the view that it is the same as alcohol - permissible with a caution warning to its use.

FreedomStands

Salam,

I hold the view that it is the same as alcohol - permissible with a caution warning to its use.

All things are "permissible", from raping babies to slitting the throat of your wife. Doesn't mean you won't get in trouble for it! "Do as thou wilt" + "and see what happens".

I think intoxicants can be put in a single category for the most part, which the Qur'an says "have some uses, great harm/sin, more harm/sin than benefit". Anyway, I get lots of second-hand marijuana here in Vancouver, I'll be getting some today as well by sitting on the beach watching fireworks, someone always seems to bring that kind of thing with them and its odor is distinct.

It seems all the "bad" things are really pretty unpleasant overall, like cigarettes and their smell, alcohol and its taste and odor, and various drugs as well, the situations related to adultery, and whatever else. It is as if one has to go out of their way to do these horrible these that aren't even made "fair seeming" or pleasant except by the words of people and their lies. Why can't they make alcohol totally concealed and pleasant tasting so that one can say "oh it makes sense, it is very attractive and tasty" haha no, it smells horrible and tastes terrible, total poison. Similarly marijuana stinks and its unpleasant to take in smoke and cough and whatever.

Taro_Hiroshi

Peace everyone,

From my understanding of the Quran, we are not allowed to forbid anything that has not been forbidden by the God in the Quran. And since it seems that intoxicants (Alcohol, Cannabis, Opium etc.) have NOT been forbidden by the Quran, they seem to be lawful.

Quran 1059 Say, "Have you seen what God has sent down to you from provisions, then you made some of it forbidden and some lawful?" Say, "Did God authorize you, or did you invent lies against God?

Quran 16116 And do not say, as to what your tongues falsely describe "This is lawful, and that is forbidden;" that you seek to invent lies about God. Those who invent lies about God will not succeed.

But even though intoxicants are not forbidden by the Quran, I don't think the Quran promotes their usage.

The Quran seems to advice us to quit using intoxicants.

Quran 590 O you who acknowledge, intoxicants, and gambling, and altars, and arrows of chance are tools of affliction used by the devil. You shall avoid him so that you may be successful.

Quran 591 The devil only wants to cause strife between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to repel you away from remembering God and from the contact prayer. Will you then desist?

The Quran states that there is MORE harm than benefit in intoxicants.

Quran 2219 They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, "In them is great harm, and a benefit for people; but their harm is greater than their benefit." They ask you how much are they to give, say, "The excess." Thus, God clarifies for you the signs that you may think.

Some people claim that we can benefit from drinking wine or smoking Cannabis. Because wine has health benefits and cannabis has medicinal benefits. But the problem is that the usage of these intoxicants are also harmful. Besides, we don't need to drink wine to get the health benefits of grapes. All we need to get the health benefits of grapes, is to eat it in its normal state. We don't need to turn it into an intoxicant (wine) to get its health benefits. And as far as I know, people don't need to smoke Cannabis to get the medicinal benefits of Cannabis. As far as I know, there are other ways to get the medicinal benefits of the Cannabis plant without turning it into an intoxicant and smoking it. In addition to that, the medicinal benefits of Cannabis, might also exist in other herbs. And if the medicinal benefits of Cannabis exist in other herbs, people don't need to use the Cannabis plant at all. Because then they can get the same medicinal benefits from other herbs.

Since the Quran has taught me that intoxicants does more harm than good, I will not use (Alcohol, Cannabis, Opium etc). That being said, I think alcohol and other types of intoxicants can be beneficial, if it is used in small quantities (and for medicinal purposes). Since it seems that intoxicants are not forbidden by the Quran, I don't support the notion of forbidding intoxicants. As far as I know, small quantities of alcohol can be used to preserve the medicinal properties of plants. For example, there are many people in the USA who use Herbal tinctures (that contain alcohol for health benefits). But I think there is a difference between using an intoxicant for medicine and using it for pleasure. And since tinctures might contain harmful effects, I will most likely never use them. Personally, I neither use intoxicants for medicine or for pleasure. I don't need alcohol to have fun. I don't need intoxicants to have fun. I like to be sober. And I like the idea of being able to think clearly at all times. Because I think clear thinking (a sober mind) is one of the greatest keys to personal growth. Therefore I will like to have access to this key at all times. Because it can help me to grow as much as possible. A sober mind seems to be a powerful weapon. I think it's a heck of a weapon. And in my opinion, having a "sober mind" is more pleasureable than any drug on the planet.

When it comes to intoxicants, I have chosen to follow the advice of my creator in the Quran. Because the God is all-knowing. And I think that an all-knowing entity knows what is best for us. For me, the truth/reality is my dope (intoxicant). It is the best intoxicant I have found. It is the only intoxicant I need. And most likely it is the only intoxicant I will ever use.

1CELOSTNOWFOUND

Enoch,

My understanding is that when quran speaks to the benefit and harm it is speaking to the mind altering effects themselves being both beneficial and harmful.

The mind altering effects themselves are both beneficial and harmful. In anti psychotics it is actually the mind altering effect which is beneficial. There are people who use mind altering prescribed drugs for sleep disorders just as there are those who have nightcap to assist sleeping disorders. In both cases it is the mind altering effect itself that is beneficial.

Imraan

Timotheus

the problem with weed is you dont realise the bad side effects because your stoned. lol
Im definately against All kinds of mind altering drugs according to the definition of intoxicants in the Quran, However i do believe Processing and extraction of medicinally beneficial components of cannabis should be done, although its unlikely in most places considering the Drug companies own the Lobbyists who Own the Governments who make the laws and they want to protect their own interests

Wakas

Cannabinoids have great potential in terms of medical benefits, and these can be produced removing the mind-altering part.

There are many many articles about it online. For a good start, see THIS to get an idea of how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Yosemite

more harmful than drugs is the social pressure applies to coerce people into consuming them

fish_launcher

The Quran prohibits intoxicants, not mind-altering drugs. The word khamr, according to my understanding (feel free to double check this if you want), is derived from a word meaning "to conceal". Therefore, anything which clouds the mind is haram.

From this I extracted the following if a drug impairs the performance of either the mind or the body, even temporarily, then it is haram. From this, CNS depressants (definitely) and probably hallucinogens are haram. Stimulants are not haram provided they do not permanently damage the mind or body.

Therefore, non-hallucinogenic sativa strains of cannabis are halal, but the rest is haram.

I use cannabis, albeit infrequently and out of medical necessity. I have psychotic episodes where I harm myself and people around me, and i use cannabis to prevent them. /

Allahu alam.

unknownuser

The Quran prohibits intoxicants, not mind-altering drugs. The word khamr, according to my understanding (feel free to double check this if you want), is derived from a word meaning "to conceal". Therefore, anything which clouds the mind is haram.

From this I extracted the following if a drug impairs the performance of either the mind or the body, even temporarily, then it is haram. From this, CNS depressants (definitely) and probably hallucinogens are haram. Stimulants are not haram provided they do not permanently damage the mind or body.

Therefore, non-hallucinogenic sativa strains of cannabis are halal, but the rest is haram.

I use cannabis, albeit infrequently and out of medical necessity. I have psychotic episodes where I harm myself and people around me, and i use cannabis to prevent them. /

Allahu alam.

There are rivers of khamrin in heaven...and in heaven there are no pigs, carrion, or any other haram stuff...could you provide quranic evidence that god said khamr is haram or god said it's Forbidden.

"Is the example of Paradise; that the righteous have been promised with rivers of pure water, and rivers of milk whose taste does not change, and rivers of wine that are delicious for the drinkers, and rivers of strained honey, and for them in it are all kinds of fruits, and a forgiveness from their Lord; like that of those who abide in the Fire, and are given to drink boiling water that cuts-up their intestines?" (4715)

"And do not say lies for what your tongues describes this is lawful (HALAL), and that is unlawful (HARAM), to lie about God. Those who lie about God will never succeed. They will have small pleasures (on Earth), AND FOR THEM IS A PAINFUL RETRIBUTION" (16/116-117)

God has made clear to us what is lawful and what is unlawful?

"Say 'Do you see that which God has provided for you, you make some of it Unlawful (Haram) and some of it Lawful (Halal)? Say 'Did God allow you to do this? Or do you tell lies about God?" (10/59)

"Say 'who has made Unlawful (Haram) the luxuries that God has provided his servants and the good things?..." (7/32)

And wine making is also recommended according to the quran
"And from the fruits of the palm trees and the grapes you make wine and a good provision. In that is a sign for a people who comprehend." (1667)

Man_of_Faith

Unlawful and lawful is usually in the sectarian sphere, but what those who know are chasing is what triggers the instinctive drive.

Be safe
Amenuel

unknownuser

Unlawful and lawful is usually in the sectarian sphere, but what those who know are chasing is what triggers the instinctive drive.

Be safe
Amenuel

Unlawful and lawful is only for sectarian beliefs??I'm sorry could explain your post? i don't really get it?

Man_of_Faith

Unlawful and lawful is only for sectarian beliefs??I'm sorry could explain your post? i don't really get it?

I meant that to keep things restricted from right to left is sectarian idealism, but those who know the purpose of the ancient Decree know it is a help to pass the test successfully by highlighting our "stumbling blocks". On top of those guidelines a lot of people increase their strictness, add things which remove the "do not" from them and add things without any authorization from God.

Be safe
Amenuel

unknownuser

I meant that to keep things restricted from right to left is sectarian idealism, but those who know the purpose of the ancient Decree know it is a help to pass the test successfully by highlighting our "stumbling blocks". On top of those guidelines a lot of people increase their strictness, add things which remove the "do not" from them and add things without any authorization from God.

Be safe
Amenuel

Yeah you're right, sectarian beliefs often add stuff and attribute them to god...

Yosemite

when i look at substances and their use in say, the american society, i see people who use the substance as their identity, and who will do their best to try to use people of prominent power, authority, or stature, to try and make you agree with their statements and their ideology

to me, the problem does not come from the substance itself, but everything that surrounds it

today we see individuals who created a subculture around that substance, and just like any other groups, their interest is to influence others into adopting their ideology, moral codes, and values

they will not hesitate shaming an individual for refusing to integrate that group, or for refusing to smoke the joint
they will reject those that do not accept them, and will stick to their groups, trying to convince people one by one to join them and to accept them

we see this happen all the time people being cast out and ostracised because they refuse to do what the group tells them to do
the same is true for alcoholics, they will insult you, berate you, belittle you, mock you, simply because you refuse to get drunk or to drink regularly

now that cannabis is being legalizedin the USA, we start seeing a movement that calls for the legalization of everything else, under the guise that it would stop the cartels from operating

the same is said for cannabis, but no evidence has been provided for the claims

usually these people do not care about the truth, they just want to see their lifestyle being accepted, adopted, and made the new rule, they will use any argument they can to convince others to join them

i often see pot smokers try to use the few scientists and research who used to consume certain substance, in an attempt to make the casual consumption of such substance acceptable
what they never tell you is that these people spent a lifetime of learning and working in a difficult field, and that the drug had nothing to do with their success

the question of substances goes deeper than the localised effect it has on the individual

fish_launcher