Drug Addiction .

The young Muslims of today are facing an ever-increasing number of dilemmas. One
of these is drugs. What does Islam have to say about it?
Allah Taala states in the Holy Quraan: O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone
alters [to other than Allah ], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work
of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful (5:90)
Allah Taala has described intoxicants amongst other things as being dreadful,
despicable and hateful acts of Satan and He Swt has commanded us to abstain from
them, Allah thereafter states in the next verse: Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants
and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So
will you not desist? (5:91)
This tells us how it is a detestable act of Satan, as intoxicants apart from sowing the
seeds of enmity also stop you from the sole purpose of having been sent to the world,
namely the remembrance of Allah. Bear in mind that when the term intoxicant is used
it also encompasses narcotics, as they too result in the loss of self-control.
The Prophetic Traditions make it more clear how harmful it is to consume intoxicants.
"Every intoxicant is khamr (wine) and every intoxicant is haraam (unlawful).
Whosoever drinks wine in this world and dies whilst consumed in it and does not
repent will not drink it in the next world. (Muslim)
Umme Salmah
narrates that the Messenger of Allah
prohibited every
intoxicant and Mufattir (anything which excites and irritates the mind, body and
heart). (Abu Dawood)
"Every intoxicant is unlawful. Verily there is covenant upon Allah for one who drinks
intoxicating drinks, that he will make him drink from Teenatul Khabal, they asked,

"O messenger of Allah, what is Teenatul Khabal?" He said, "The sweat of the inmates
of hell or the pus (of impurities) of the inmates of hell." (Muslim)
"There are three for whom Allah has forbidden paradise, a habitual drunkard, one
disobedient to parents, and a careless husband who establishes impurity in his family."
(Ahmad and Nasai) .
Intoxicants are key to all evils, head of all errors and lapses, most terrible of major
sins, mother of all atrocities, and mother of all evils.
There are many types of drugs available on the market. The general effect of all
drugs is basically very similar, though they differ in their speed of action as well
as the brutality of the harm on the body. All drugs directly affect the brain, since
this is the only way of causing mood changes. Some examples of drugs are as
follows:
1.
Heroin, (upper drug): highly addictive drug; gives very high rush, followed
by many hours of gloom; the addict lives day to day for the next fix.
2.
Marijuana, (downer drug): affects the parts of the brain that deals with
emotions and memory.
3.

Alcohol, (downer drug): impairs judgments, memory lapses, blackouts.

4.
Cocaine, (upper drug): whether in powder form or crack, it is a highly
addictive stimulant; addict loses interest in school, family, work, etc.
5. Vapor Inhalants (downer drug): (glue, petrol, hair spray, paint thinners,
etc.) destroy the protective layers around the brain cells.
6.
Ecstasy (upper drug): powerful amphetamine that causes problems in
concentration and causes the person to find difficulty in realizing the difference
between fantasy and reality.
7.
LSD (upper drug): gives a distorted view of time and space; causes
paranoia, confusion, panic attacks.

8.
Steroids (upper drug): used by 'body builders" to gain muscles; causes
mood changes and permanently impairs learning and memory.

Destructive effects of drugs

Physical effects: The moment any person takes a drug into the body (either by
nose, mouth or vein) the drug enters the blood stream and goes directly to the
brain, crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and occupies various receptor sites in
the brain. This leads to alteration in the chemical and electrical neuronal
functioning of the brain which also leads to eventual organic damage to this
delicate, yet powerful organ. These changes in the brain is what causes the state
of 'addiction'- eventually, the body automatically starts craving for the damaging
drug leading to a vicious cycle of abuse and further damage.
Social effects: The person indulged in the usage of intoxicants displays anti-social
behavior such as: staying away from home; stealing; crime; job loss; withdrawal
from community; embarrassing behavior in public; deterioration in relationship
with parents or wife or children. The most harmful effect of drugs is on the brain.
Solving the problem:
If there is someone in your family or close friend, who you suspect has a problem
with drugs, then it is our duty to assist them in any way possible. Some
suggestions in this regard are:
Communicate. Don't pretend that the problem will go away or that it cannot be
happening in your own family.
Show sympathy. Even if it is to a stranger. The addicted person is a diseased
person; so, he/she needs our help.
Scholars must speak out against this evil and discuss the devastating effects of drugs on
the individual, his family as well as the society.
The addicted youth should be encouraged to turn to Islam.
Mothers have a very important role to play in the upbringing of their children. Only a
mother knows the pain and sorrow of seeing her beloved child being a slave to the evils of
drugs. Drugs destroy the dreams of every mother.

Just one bad habit can destroy EVERYTHING we have in the most unpleasant way.Many of
those on drugs have just ONE bad habit. If they cut it, they could transform into really lovely
human beings.If they do not give up their drugs, they will tear their families apart, finances
will crumble, health dwindles and life is totally wasted.
Dont ever do drugs and if u have, save your life & many others by quitting NOW!