Question:
Asalaamu walaikum,
I need the air clear on a few things for fear of fitnah and misguidance InShaaAllah.
1. Is Cannabis considered to be an intoxicant?
If so, does it has the characteristics of an intoxicating substance?
2.What are the medical permissibility of using this herb, as it has been proven to aid depression, anxiety, and many other ailments.
Please clarify for me inShaaAllah.
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Shari’ah prohibits any substance which causes intoxication. This ruling is derived from the following Ahadith:
كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ
Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: “All intoxicants are prohibited.”(Bukhari & Muslim)
مَا أَسْكَرَ كَثِيرُهُ فَقَلِيلُهُ حَرَامٌ “
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: If a large amount of anything causes intoxication, a small amount of it is prohibited.(Abu Dawood)
It is clear that marijuana due to its mind-altering effects is an intoxicant and is impermissible, even if used in small amounts. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that marijuana intoxicates and even the physical effects that can be seen in the behaviour of a person who has smoked marijuana leaves no doubt of the intoxicating effects of this drug.
Furthermore, Shari’ah prohibits harming oneself. Allah Ta’ala says in the Quraan,
ولا تلقوا بأيديكم إلى التهلكة
‘And do not throw yourself into destruction.’ (Surah al-Baqarah –: 195)
Therefore the prohibition of cannabis/marijuana is clear according to the rulings of Shari’ah. Thus, the smoking or consumption of any sort of the common and readily available forms of marijuana, synthetic, imitation cannabis is prohibited due to it being an intoxicant. The ruling of prohibition will remain even if marijuana becomes legal in a country.
With regards to the medical use of Marijuana, one must firstly resort to the use of Halaal alternative medications. Also it is highly unlikely a reliable doctor will prescribe such forms of medications in a country where marijuana is illegal. In a case of necessity where other medications are unsuccessful, one may take aid from this drug in such forms that have zero levels of intoxication (High-CBD and very low to zero levels of THC), only through ingestion or application and not through smoking.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
