Drugs and all other intoxicants are forbidden in Islam because they are deemed harmful. Islam says that anything that is harmful for our physical and spiritual health is not allowed. For example, at the time of the Holy Prophet(sa), people would consume large quantities of alcohol but that would prevent them from offering their prayers as they would be intoxicated. Some people argue that marijuana has health benefits and it is not as harmful to health as perceived by society. This claim is addressed in the Holy Quran, Chapter 2, verse 220, where God says:
یَسۡـَٔلُوۡنَکَ عَنِ الۡخَمۡرِ وَ الۡمَیۡسِرِؕ قُلۡ فِیۡہِمَاۤ اِثۡمٌ کَبِیۡرٌ وَّ مَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ ۫ وَ اِثۡمُہُمَاۤ اَکۡبَرُ مِنۡ نَّفۡعِہِمَا ؕ وَ یَسۡـَٔلُوۡنَکَ مَا ذَا یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ ۬ؕ قُلِ الۡعَفۡوَ ؕ کَذٰلِکَ یُبَیِّنُ اللّٰہُ لَکُمُ الۡاٰیٰتِ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ ﴿۲۲۰﴾ۙ
That is, “They ask thee concerning wine and the game of hazard. Say: ‘In both there is great sin and also some advantages for men; but their sin is greater than their advantage.’ And they ask thee what they should spend. Say: ‘What you can spare.’ Thus does Allah make His commandments clear to you that you may reflect”.
This verse very clearly highlights that even if something has some benefits, but causes more harm to our physical and spiritual health, it is unlawful. Added to this is the hadith where the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Whatever causes intoxication in large amounts, a small amount of it is (also) unlawful”.[i] With marijuana, we see that there are some medical benefits but studies suggest that frequent and improper consumption of marijuana can cause detrimental side effects such as confusion, hallucinations, anxiety and paranoia. In other words, small amounts taken over a long period of time are harmful. In addition to this, long-term use can lead to having a severe psychotic disorder like schizophrenia.
The Promised Messiah(as) cautions and reminds us that not only do intoxicants cause harm physically to our bodies but they also take a toll on our spirituality. He states:
All those wealthy persons who consume alcohol also carry the sins of the people who intoxicate themselves under their influence. You who claim to possess understanding! Know that this world is not eternal, so take hold of yourselves. Eschew all immoderation and abstain from every type of intoxicant. It is not alcohol alone that ruins a person. Opium, ganja, charas, bhang, tarhi and all other addictions are similarly destructive. They ruin the mind and destroy lives. So, shun all such substances. I cannot understand why one would choose to indulge in these intoxicants when, year on year, they claim the lives of thousands of addicts—not to mention the torment of the hereafter.[ii]
He further states in Malfuzat:
When a person becomes addicted to drugs then it becomes difficult for him to stop. What are drugs? On the one hand they destroy life and on the other hand they are also sustenance for life. If a drug addict does not get a dose of the drug then his condition can reach death.[iii]
Hence, we do not consume marijuana and other drugs simply because they are harmful for our health. No one takes poison knowingly. No one puts his/her hand in a hole where they have seen a snake enter. People who sell drugs are doing it only to earn large sums of money, especially hoping that their clients will come back to them over and over after becoming addicted. What we need to understand is that God is Rahman or Gracious, as per the teachings of the Holy Quran, and His commandments are a source of comfort, peace, and safety for all of humanity. It is time humanity realizes the beneficence of God Who gave us these commandments for our own well-being.
References:
[i]. Sunan Ibn Majah, Chapters on Drinks: https://sunnah.com/urn/1335180
[ii]. Noah’s Ark, p. 114-115
[iii]. Malfuzat, vol. 2, p. 243