Fatwa ID: 06874

 

Answered by: Maulana Burhaan Rahman

 

Question:

 

Is one allowed to use cannabis? It calms one’s self down in tough and stressful situations but not for recreation. May stop outrage/bursts of anger as well.

 

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

 

Answer:

 

Currently, only the following conditions are likely to receive a prescription for Cannabis: [NHSUK]

 

• Epilepsy in rare
• severe forms in children and adults
• people experiencing nausea or vomiting brought on by chemotherapy
• those with multiple sclerosis who have muscle stiffness and spasms (MS)

 

There are also some reports and evidence showing that it helps with migraines (headaches) as well. [WEBMD]

 

We know that cannabis falls into the category of intoxicants as in itself it makes you lose consciousness. This is a Haram substance to take. People use it to kick back and also to make them “Temporarily forget past events”. [HealthlineUK].

 

Our beloved prophet SAW has mentioned:

 

وَالْخَمْرُ مَا خَامَرَ الْعَقْلَ

“khamr” is that which befogs the mind. [Muslim Hadeeth no: 3032]

 

كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ خَمْرٌ وَكُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ

“Every intoxicant is Khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden” [Muslim Hadeeth no: 2003]

 

But when there is a genuine medical need and necessity to use a substance (even if it’s a recreational substance like cannabis) it is permissible.

 

The legal maxim of Islamic law mentions:

الضرورات تبيح المحظورات

Necessity renders prohibited things permissible.

 

So if Cannabis is needed for the patient for a medical need, it is permissible.

 

Note that “anxiety” and “depression” do not come into the picture when permitting cannabis as one would want to use it to take the mind off something or a past event etc.

 

 

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Burhaan Rahman

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham