Dr. Bilal A. Bhat & Intizar Ahmad
It is widespread that Islam is more of a preventive religion than it is a healing one. Addiction is a kind of disease that affects all the body, brain, behavior, and personality of a person. We live in a culture in which mass advertising glorifies excessive consumption and the near instant gratification of desires. “Having it now” unfortunately, proves to be a slippery slope for millions, and uninhibited desires prove to be like an uncontrollable fire, growing stronger each time they are fed. Some desires becomes overriding compulsions that could take years to overcome, if at all. The word addiction is often used to describe such a condition. What exactly is addiction? The term “addiction” is used in many contexts to describe an obsession, compulsion, or excessive physical dependence or psychological dependence, such as: drug addiction, alcoholism, compulsive overeating, problem gambling, computer addiction, etc. In other words, addiction has many forms, some of them related to substances such as drugs or alcohol, while others are related to extreme psychological dependence of the individual on behaviors such as gambling, overeating, and increasingly internet surfing. The narcotics have been used for a long time, although we cannot determine the exact time that human was acquainted with it. It seems because of the different factors and occasions humankind experienced and knew narcotics from the first social careers and have used them in remedying the diseases, decreasing pains, controlling appetite and dietary, increasing and quieting stress and nostalgia, being released from pressures, satisfying curiosity, opening new life views, creating friendly relationships, increasing sexual activities, and even giving meaning to life. Humankind has known narcotics for 7000 years. Sumerians had referred to tobacco in their general tablets. Avesta has referred to a kind of numbing substance Called Kanalize. During the reign of Darush Achaemenid Indians knew opium and sent it to China (Sadati Azar, 1995). In historical works of Egypt there are some hints to narcotics and their applications. Ave Sina and Razi have used narcotics as effective medicines. The first form of narcotics had been used in medicine for the welfare of humankind and finally entered the society and their applications changed. In 1804, morphine was used in medicine to save the people. In 4th BC, Hippocrates and Galen had referred to opium as a strong tranquilizer and had used it as a pain killer. The existence of these materials had medical applications and was used to relieve the pain of the sick people, but opportunists were using them in other ways. Since the last century, expansionist countries especially Great Britain increased the tendency toward the narcotics in the undeveloped countries and rushed such materials to these countries and then paved the same way in other countries. Tobacco was discovered by Spanish navigators in the America’s coasts in 15th A.D, and distributed in all over the world in a way that most of the families are affected the tobaccos influences. At the beginning of 17th A.D, the Europeans distinguished the harmful effects of tobaccos and different European countries determined some rule against them according to their own taste. Tobacco was introduced to Muslims in 17th A.D (10 centuries after creation of Islam). Estimates of the economic costs of just alcohol abuse, collected by the World Health Organization, vary from one to six per cent of a country’s GDP. Countries around the world spend hundreds of billions of dollars in combating the drug trade, rehabilitating drug addicts and in dealing with the health and social costs of the increased use of narcotics by young people and teenagers. Addiction to pornography is afflicting millions in every age group around the world, leading to decreased productivity, and an increase in crimes against women and children.
The fact that addictions of various types have grown into enormous social problems that are threatening not only individuals and families but entire societies is clear. It is a global issue, although millions have freed themselves from the slavery of their base instincts but millions more continue to fall into this abyss. The number of addicted individuals, both in real terms and as a percentage of the total population, has skyrocketed in recent times. Let us explore how Islam views the problem, and how its prescriptions and world-view might be an antidote. Moderation- An Islamic Virtue: One of the salient features of the Islamic world-view is a balanced and moderate outlook on life and its challenges. Islam recognizes that human beings have natural desires, and prescribes ways of fulfilling these desires without allowing the desires to take control of one’s life. The Glorious Quran says: “O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: Eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.” [Al-Quran 7:31] The Islamic virtue of moderation is prescribed at both an individual and at a collective level. Islam views the natural resources of the world, and indeed human life itself, as a trust from God. Accordingly, every individual is accountable for how he or she spends these resources. Profligacy is considered a major sin in Islam. Islam’s View of the Self: Islam’s broader approach towards human life is through the recognition of the human soul as being composed of essentially three elements: (a) Nafs al-Ammarah (soul commanding to evil or evil-inciting soul) (b) Nafs al-Lawwamah (self-reproaching soul) (c) Nafs al-Mutma’innah (tranquil, peaceful soul) The goal of every Muslim is to be aware of the stage of his or her own soul, and to strive to reach the stage of tranquility and peace that can only come about through a disciplined life in obedience to God. The soul commanding to evil grips the individual in a state of forgetfulness. Addiction, and indeed, all human infractions stem from such a state, where the human being is heedless of the purpose of life, heedless of the Creator, and of the Day when all human beings will be held accountable for their actions. It is this state of forgetfulness that the individual must strive to overcome, and work progressively towards a state of awareness. The Glorious Qur’an says: “And be ye not like those who forgot Allah, and He made them forget their own souls! Such are the rebellious transgressors!” [Al-Quran 59:19] In overcoming addiction therefore, one is required to shun heedlessness and feel remorse for having allowed one’s soul to be controlled by one’s lower desires. For others who, although self-aware to some extent, do succumb momentarily to the evil-inciting soul, the remembrance of the Divine and His commandments are often sufficient to restore the balance and quickly exit the state of heedlessness. For those who, while fulfilling the necessities of human life, are firmly rooted in achieving success in the hereafter, the temptations of a transgression only serve to spur them on in their spiritual pursuits. Islam’s Prohibitions – A Great Blessing: No one becomes addicted intentionally; it is not a goal one sets out to accomplish. Addiction is ultimately the triumph of the soul commanding to evil over the self-reproaching soul. What begins as just one quick glance at a pornographic Web site, one sip of alcohol, one snort of cocaine, one injection of heroin, or even one session of aggressive overeating does not affect every individual the same way. For those who have a weak relationship with Allah, are on the margins of daily worship, are keeping company with similarly heedless individuals, the one glance, the one sip leads them, ultimately, down a slippery slope from which they will have, potentially, a lifelong struggle recovering.
The alcohol industry influences drinking world-wide. Islamic faith and advertising bans partially offset this, but continuing dialogue between governments, religious leaders and health advisers is required, with attention paid to health and religion as well as economic development. Intensified efforts are needed to increase research into the health consequences of drinking.
Islam recognizes the perils of such self-destructive behavior. While prescribing permissible ways of fulfilling certain legitimate desires, Islam clearly draws the line around certain types of behavior and strikes them at the root. Consequently, alcohol, drug consumption and gambling are strictly prohibited, even in small quantities. The Glorious Qur’an says: “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (pination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.” [Al-Quran 5:90] In the last five decades, pornography has been the cause of many a broken home, and multitudes of destroyed lives. Addiction is the most important factor of immortality and adversity and undoubtedly can be accounted as the cause of adversity and destruction of the society and human race. Although, narcotics’ abuse was not so important during the time of Honorable Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and innocent Imams (S), and we don’t have any specific verse or narration in this regard, since Islam is a universal and eternal religion, and have completely provided all the needs of the society at all ages, and has met all the humankinds’ wishes, so it has paid attention to this subject and has warned people from different sides about not using narcotics. Before talking about the addiction, we would rather to discuss about the verses of Quran concerning the prohibition of alcohol. There is no verse about the prohibition of alcohol, but it warns about the drinks containing alcohol, which are called wine. Holy Quran says, “O you who believe! Do not go near prayer when you are intoxicated until you know (well) what you say….” It can be observed that wine was not prohibited at the beginning of Islam and there were some believers who used to drink it and become drunk. Meanwhile, wine is blamed in this verse, because it obliterates the mind. Surah Bagharah (cow), a part of verse No. 219 says: “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say: In both of them there are a great sin and few profits for men. However, their sin is greater than their profits….” Now the question is “Does this verse mean that drinking wine is useful for men?” at least the appearance of the verse does not show this. Regarding that the God on high answers the question about wine alongside the gambling, it shows that like gambling by which the man can increase his wealth, he can also get more money through the trade of wine. At last God has given ultimatum and clearly invites the believers not to drink wine: Surah Maidah (food), verses 90 & 91). God has forbidden wine not for its name, but for its effects and corruptions. It means that wine is prohibited for the corruption which it causes and the result of using narcotics is the same. By enjoining men and women towards modesty, the Glorious Quran protects the dignity of the human being. The Quran says: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms…” [Al-Quran 24:30-31] Islam recommends marriage for the fulfillment of natural desires and for procreation, but prohibits the depiction of any human being as merely an object of sexual gratification. Notice how the Quran elevates the status of both men and women by recognizing their nature, while also drawing their attention towards a higher purpose in life. When one reflects on the havoc caused by alcohol and drug addiction, by compulsive gambling and by rampant pornography, one can only see the prohibitions and injunctions of Islam as great blessings to the human race. The Divine prohibitions ensure that even if one does not see the wisdom behind abstaining from these evils, one is guarded by adhering to certain norms in a spiritual frame of reference. Prayer and Fasting – Strengthening the Soul with Patience: While every pillar of Islam serves to strengthen the soul, the five daily prayers and the fasting during the holy month of Ramadan are especially beneficial in disciplining the soul. The blessed month, Ramadan, and fasting are not only a way for more praying, obeying God, avoiding gluttony, and coming close to God, but also it’s a way that God has shown the man to keep his soul away from wickedness, which itself can provide salvation for him. Avoiding drinking alcohol, smelling the smoke, and injecting are all tries of the addict which through fasting can leave them in one step and do not come close them after Ramadan. It’s obvious that without faith and religious believes such a person cannot fast. The Glorious Quran says; “Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.” [Al-Quran 29:45] Fasting is universally recognized as a means of gaining self-control, and in Islam, also a means of gaining closeness to God. “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,”– [Al-Quran 2:183] Prayer and fasting are therefore like the shields of the human soul, by which it can protect itself from the onslaughts of modern temptations, and lead a healthy, balanced and productive life. In brief to strike at the roots of addiction, a holistic view of the human soul is essential. Islam provides both a world-view and a spiritual system that elevates the human being by empowering the soul to fulfill the Divine Mission. Besides prohibiting behaviors that might demean the human soul in any way, Islam prescribes practical ways of strengthening it. For the soul that values the sweetness of Divine Remembrance, capitulating to the base desires represents disobedience to the Creator as well as oppression against the self. It is through recognition of the purpose of creation can the soul achieve true freedom. There is no evidence in history that from the beginning of Islam and descending of Quran people used narcotics and tobacco for pleasure, so there is no clear verse about prohibition of them. However, because of many adverse effects of drugs and smoke and referring to verses like verse No. 157, surah Araf, which has forbidden the malevolence we can conclude that Muslims should avoid of smoking and drug abuse. We can conclude that the residents of small communities like villages, who obey the greats of their religion rather than urban residents, through prohibition or not approving narcotics and tobacco and cause them to abandon the addiction or to keep them away from these drugs. The alcohol industry influences drinking world-wide. Islamic faith and advertising bans partially offset this, but continuing dialogue between governments, religious leaders and health advisers is required, with attention paid to health and religion as well as economic development. Intensified efforts are needed to increase research into the health consequences of drinking. We hope to have at least Islamic societies away from abusing alcohol, drugs, addictives, and tobacco. God willing…
( The authors write regularly on Islamic topics for Kashmir Horizon exclusively. Views are his own, [email protected] )