Thread:

Few people asked me how does Islam regard cannabis and marijuana use?

Cannabis is a complicated and controversial topic among Muslims.

Some Muslims consider marijuana “ḥalāl” (which means “permissible") and acceptable for responsible recreational use, while others think that cannabis is a narcotic that a person should only use in cases of medical need.

The modern Islamic world is vast, and many ancient tribal cultures exist throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe that have traditions of using cannabis that predate the religion's presence.

In fact, the practice of using marijuana is so well-steeped in some areas that the prospect of its complete prohibition impossible, even though some Muslim-majority countries enforce some of the harshest punishments for drug crimes.

For instance, followers of Sufism openly consume cannabis as part of their ritual practices and to reach higher states of consciousness.

However, majority of Islamic scholars and religious authorities make the argument that because marijuana has intoxicating effects on one's state of mind and sensory perception that its status as “haram” (religiously forbidden) is unquestioned.

Islamic scholars cite the hadith (an Arabic term for a report or saying) of Muhammad that says “If much intoxicates, then even a little is haram".

Since cannabis alters our consciousness and exhibits various effects over our minds and bodies that it meets the standards as “khamr” - an intoxicant.

And finally, how Islam regards cannabis for medicinal purposes?

The exception to this view is that the use of cannabis as a medicine is acceptable, under a physician's guidance and supervision, just as the use of opium is permissible under necessary circumstances.

Some Muslims would not consider using cannabis to treat a valid medical ailment a sinful act, but rather a necessary step to regaining one's health.

In the end, it's almost impossible to make a general statement about how a Muslim “feels” about cannabis, as much of the arguments both for and against marijuana use are based on personal interpretation.

I hope this thread brought a lot of clarity over this topic because I kept getting constant emails about it.