Answered by Shaykh Mazhar Mahmood
Question:
Is marijuana unlawful to smoke and consume, and why? Is it allowed to occasionally smoke a little marijuana?
Answer:
Thank you for your query. May Allāh save one and all from elements which lead to immorality, distress and degradation of our lives and communities. Āmīn
Cannabis (marijuana) is often consumed for its psychoactive and physiological effects, which can include heightened mood or euphoria, relaxation, and an increase in appetite. Unwanted side-effects can sometimes include a decrease in short-term memory, dry mouth, impaired motor skills, reddening of the eyes, and feelings of paranoia or anxiety. (Wikipedia)
Marijuana intoxicates a person just as alcohol does. It dilutes one’s ability to think and understand. The United Nations has also deemed marijuana as the most-used “illicit” drug in the world. (UNODC. World Drug Report 2010. United Nations Publication. pg.198.)
Allāh Almighty commands us in the Qurʾān to avoid all which puts us in harms way. He says,
“Do not cast yourselves in harms way and put yourself into perdition, but commit to doing righteous deeds; surely Allāh loves the fair-doers.”
Abū Mūsā (may Allāh be pleased with him) has reported, that Allāh’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) said,
“Anything which intoxicates is prohibited.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī)
He (peace and blessings upon him) is also reported to have said,
“Every element which intoxicates in large quantities is unlawful [to consume] in small quantities as well.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān)
Due to the aforementioned narrations and reasoning, consuming any quantity of marijuana in normal circumstances at any time/ occasion is unlawful in Islām.
Please also refer to this post for details on medical marijuana: Islamic Ruling on Marijuana
Allāh Almighty Knows Best
