Question

Is smoking marijuana forbidden in Islam?

Not my religion class homework, just interested to know. @Zale101
@Opcode²

Answer 1

An intoxicant is defined, for legal purposes in Islam (sharia law), as anything that dulls the senses and induces a state of mental fogginess (e.g. to the point where one is unaware of what one does). Such things are forbidden according to hadith, and just general interpretations of the Qur'an.

\[\textbf{Hadith:}\]
The Prophet [SAW] said:
```
Every intoxicant is unlawful and every intoxicant is Khamr.
```
- https://sunnah.com/nasai/51/44 (I know the book is labels the book of drinks just read below I explain more.)

By \(qiyas\) (analogy/logical interpretation) this applies to other kinds of khamr, the scholars have declared cannabis/hemp/marijuana haraam (prohibited and sinful).

\[\textbf{Note:}\]There are times when things such as cannabis are okay, for such reasons as medical use. If I recall correctly there is a surah in the Qur'an about how alcohol "has benefits but is forbidden because its harms exceeds its benefits." (Alcohol is not forbidden as a sterilization element or disinfectant.)

Answer 2

Originally Islam forbid "wine", it was only later that they extended it to all "alcohol". I'm not sure when this extension occurred, you have to look at their history to make a determination.

Answer 3

As to my understanding Islam forbade coming to prayer "drunk" but you could still drink outside of prayer, until later on there was a verse that forbade intoxication all around.

Some verses:
[Qur'an 2:219] Wine is classified as sin.
They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider-

[Qur'an 5:90] is the place where intoxicants are completely prohibited.
O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.