Alcohol and drugs

9th December 2008

Alcohol and Drugs

Allah (SWT) says in Quran : O you who believe ! Intoxicants ( all kinds of
alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al Ansab, and Al Azlam ( arrows for seeking
luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan’s handiwork. So avoid (strictly
all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.
(Surah Al-Maidah
v90.)



Admonition and warnings of consuming alcohol in Ahaadeeth

There are two ways to learn, the easy way and the hard way. The hard way is
personal experience, after falling into the trap and after destroying one’s
life, one realises what he has done was wrong, but in many cases it is very
difficult to resolve. The easiest way is the way of Islam, which we have been
taught by Rasulullah (SAW). Here are a few Ahadeeth in regards to the admonition
and warnings of alcohol:



Abdullah bin Umar (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, “Every intoxicant
is ‘khamr’ and every intoxicant is Haraam (prohibited). Whosoever drinks ‘khamr’
is this world and dies in the state that one was habituated to it and did not
repent from such a sin, this person will not drink it in the Hereafter.”

(Muslim)



Jabir (RA) narrates that a man came from Yemen and asked Nabi (SAW) about a
drink which they drank where they drank in Yemen, which was called ‘miraz’. Nabi
(SAW) replied, “Does it intoxicate?” He replied, “Yes.” Rasulullah (SAW) then
replied’ “Every intoxicant is Haraam (prohibited). Allah ta’aala has made a
promise that whosoever drinks an intoxicant, Allah ta’aala will make him drink
from ’Teenatul-Khabaal’.” They (the Sahabah – RA) said, “Oh Rasulullah! What is
‘Teenatul- Khabaal’?” He replied, “The sweat or pus of the people of Jahannan
(Hell).”
(Muslim)



We realise from these Ahadeeth that alcohol and drugs are a very serious issue
for the Islamic work. We as Muslims are very lucky that we have been warned of
its consequences. In another Hadeeth:



Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, “Whosoever drinks
intoxicants, his salaah will not be accepted for forty days. If he repents,
Allah ta’aala will accept his repentance. If he continues to do so, he is given
respite until the fourth time, where he will not be forgiven, i.e. Allah ta’aala
will not give him the ability to repent, and he will be made to drink from
‘Nahrul-Khabaal’.




Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, “A disobedient
person, a gambler, a person who boasts of favours and a constantly intoxicated
person will not enter Jannah (Paradise).”



Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, “If a person who is
habited to ‘Khamr” dies, this person will meet Allah ta’aala as a ‘Aabid-wathn’
(idol-worshipper).




Reasons for adopting and consuming alcohol and drugs



People use drugs for enjoyment and fun- we are witnessing the ‘now.com’
generation using ecstasy and speed in their pursuit for happiness, or to escape
the pain and suffering of their lives – a ‘time-out’ from the pressures they
endure to confirm and fit in.



One article in the Saudi Arabian papers stated that the prime reasons for the
spreading of alcohol and drugs are:



1. Bad Company: We either do not know what bad company is, or we think we have
to hang around with them (people of bad influence). What is bad company? Such
company that increases even one sin in a person is considered as bad company.
Staying with the drug addicts is bad company.

2. Affluence: The second reason for drug expansion is affluence, excessive
spending of money. We do not budget, we have no sense of responsibility when it
comes to spending. If we were to budget, half of our problems would be solved,
because a lot of haraam actions involves spending money on drugs, cigarettes,
etc. so cut out all haraam and unwanted cost and we will be solving most of our
problems.

3. Self ego: The attitude that I want to be champion and a leader amongst my
friends and peers.

4. Peer pressure: Surveys show that 60% have drugs due to peer pressure and sole
pleasure.



Remember the saying of Umar Farooq (RA), “Take account of yourselves before
you are accounted for.”



What are the effects of drugs?



They impair decision-making ability leading to irresponsible behaviour. Uthman
Ibn Affaan (RA) said, “Intoxicants are the key to all evils.” A man was once
asked either to tear up a copy of the Qur’an, kill a child, bow in worship to an
idol, drink a cup of alcohol or sleep with a woman. He thought the lesser wrong
would be to drink the cup of alcohol, and he did. Hence this caused him to sleep
with a woman, kill a child, tear up a copy of the Qur’an and bow down in worship
to an idol.




Other effects of drugs are:



1. They cause harm to the body;

2. They cause moral insensitivity;

3. They weaken will power;

4. They cause the user to turn to crime to pay for drugs.

May Allah ta’aala safeguard us all, especially the youth against the evil of
this fast-flowing disease that is polluting our environment and surroundings.
Aameen.

 




Mufti Yusuf