Title: Using Marijuana... Question: I find using marijuana on occasion helps me relax and helps me sleep. I have tried looking for topics regarding this in the Qur'an. The closes thing mentioned by name is liquor. It says in the Qur'an that you should be clear minded when approaching Salah so that you can understand what you are saying. If I make sure that this happens, is it really haram? Salaams Answer: The Qur'an says: Believers, [drinking] intoxicating drinks, gambling, [animals sacrificed at] shrines and [food distributed by] raffling through arrows are all unclean, satanic deeds, therefore refrain from them, so that you may be successful [in the test of this life]. (Al Ma'idah 5:90) Humanity is the race of reason. Its very existence and sustenance has depended on the development of its intellectual faculties. As a matter of fact, reasoning is as much of an innate trait in humanity as instinct is to the rest of the animal kingdom. The very nature of humanity is that it uses its logical, rational and analytic thought to progress; the very survival of humanity has depended on such a faculty. Thus, the very idea of debilitating (e.g. intoxicating) this endowment is against the very nature of the human race. Purposefully clouding the mind and blunting one's abilities goes against the very essence of humankind's existence. Therefore, the first thing we must keep in mind is that intoxication is a prohibition of nature. The word " khamr " was used for intoxicating drinks, during pre-Islamic Arabia. The root word for " khamr " is " kh-m-r " which includes such implications as cover, blanket, conceal, obscure etc... It seems that the word "Khamr" was used for intoxicating drinks because of their potential effects upon those who consumed it. Their behavior either stupefied or was in some other way affected by the dulling of senses, thereby giving the drink its name. The Qur'an forbids its readers from drinking wine (other forms of intoxicating chemicals were generally not in vogue at that time). However, through the extension of common sense one may easily ascertain that Islamic principles are very much against "clouding" one's mind for recreational purposes. Islam is not a static religion; it ever-evolves with the condition of humanity. Scholars and religious leaders, through the mechanism of Ijtihad (i.e. process of decision making regarding issues not directly mentioned by the Shari'ah ) may come up with various rulings to implement for the Muslim community. All drugs do not react with the brain the same way, nor do the same drugs react with individuals in the same manner. Nevertheless, through Ijtihad an obvious decision can be made regarding the concept of intoxication (i.e. a state of altered consciousness induced by alcohol or narcotics; a high). Although there are some medicinal purposes of certain drugs (e.g. alcohol), the Qur'anic ban is in regards to sinful nature, which is a consequence of recreational use. Thus, any drug, this includes alcohol that is distilled or fermented (liquor, beer, whisky, etc...), narcotics (amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, hashish, heroin, LSD, marijuana, PCP, etc...) used for recreational purposes and not strictly for medicinal purposes would go against the prohibition, at the same time heaping guilt upon the user's spiritual shoulders. The Qur'an, through its gradual admonitions, actually developed the first "12 step"-like program to reduce alcoholism. To impose the method of "cold-turkey" (i.e. immediate withdrawal) on an entire society would be detrimental in every way, not to mention to the very message being delivered. Instead, God ordained a gradual process of removing certain diseases from the society. This not only eased society into a cure but also built a pattern for future generations to build upon. This and other examples developed the model of tolerance, moderation and a humane way of ridding a society or individuals of ills (e.g. slavery). Here are some things to ponder regarding marijuana use: Marijuana, the most often used illegal drug in this country (USA), is a product of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The main active chemical in marijuana, also present in other forms of cannabis, is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Of the roughly 400 chemicals found in the cannabis plant, THC affects the brain the most. Short-term effects of marijuana include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch), trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor coordination, increased heart rate, and anxiety. These effects are even greater when other drugs are mixed with marijuana. A user may also experience dry mouth and throat. 1 Other sources: All forms of marijuana are mind-altering. In other words, they change how the brain works. They all contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana. Marijuana's effects on the user depend on its strength or potency, which is related to the amount of THC it contains. The THC content of marijuana has been increasing since the 1970s. Marijuana affects memory, judgment and perception. The drug can make you mess up in school, in sports or clubs, or with your friends. If you're high on marijuana, you are more likely to make stupid mistakes that could embarrass or even hurt you. If you use marijuana a lot, you could start to lose interest in how you look and how you're getting along at school or work. Athletes could find their performance is off; timing, movements, and coordination are all affected by THC. Also, since marijuana can affect judgment and decision making, its use can lead to risky sexual behavior, resulting in exposure to sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Findings so far show that regular use of marijuana or THC may play a role in some kinds of cancer and in problems with the respiratory and immune systems. Cancer It's hard to know for sure whether regular marijuana use causes cancer. But it is known that marijuana contains some of the same, and sometimes even more, of the cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Studies show that someone who smokes five joints per day may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day. Lungs and airways Lungs and airways-People who smoke marijuana often develop the same kinds of breathing problems that cigarette smokers have: coughing and wheezing. They tend to have more chest colds than nonusers. They are also at greater risk of getting lung infections like pneumonia. Immune system Animal studies have found that THC can damage the cells and tissues in the body that help protect against disease. When the immune cells are weakened you are more likely to get sick. To better determine this risk, scientists are examining the possibility that long-term marijuana use may create changes in the brain that make a person more at risk of becoming addicted to other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine. Further research is needed to predict who will be at greatest risk. Marijuana has serious harmful effects on the skills required to drive safely: alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination, and the ability to react quickly. Marijuana use can make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road. Some studies show that when people have smoked large amounts of marijuana for years, the drug takes its toll on mental functions. Heavy or daily use of marijuana affects the parts of the brain that control memory, attention, and learning. A working short-term memory is needed to learn and perform tasks that call for more than one or two steps. Smoking marijuana causes some changes in the brain that are like those caused by cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. Scientists are still learning about the many ways that marijuana can affect the brain. Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction in some people. That is, they cannot control their urges to seek out and use marijuana, even though it negatively affects their family relationships, school performance, and recreational activities. 2 It is quite obvious from your question that you use marijuana for recreational purposes and that a doctor has not prescribed it for medicinal use. As you can see marijuana is a harmful drug, which can be a gateway drug that is proving to be addictive and can render emotional and behavioral changes in users. The word " khamr " in the Qur'an means intoxicating beverage, yet if any drug entails the same or similar effects as "khamr" , a Muslim should refrain from using it and a Muslim state may pass legislations to prohibit its usage. The "relaxed" or "sleepy" feeling is a result of your intoxication. I hope that one day you realize the harm and quit such a terrible habit. However, if you find that you cannot let it go (admitting it is usually the hardest part), then I suggest you get yourself into some drug treatment program and bring yourself closer to the Almighty who created you to respect your mind, body and soul; All which you are damaging as of your last toke. I hope I have clarified the issue God knows best Ronnie Hassan May 23, 2003 1 www.drugfreeamerica.com 2 www.drugabuse.gov/NIDAHome.html