Drugs – happiness. It is natural for people to seek happiness but drugs in not the answer because it results in long term problems and addiction.
With the Name of Allah most Beneficient ever Merciful
Drugs such as illegal drugs, alcohol and over the counter drugs that people abuse makes them feel good by either relaxing them or energising them.
Unfortunately drugs only provide a temporary escape from reality and once the drug has worn out it leaves one feeling far more miserable than before they first took it and sometimes it leaves the addict in excruciating pain.
In order to feel better again the person then takes more drugs thus leading towards addiction. It becomes a vicious cycle—take drugs to feel good and after a while these very same drugs leave the user miserable so that they have to take more drugs to feel better again.
This is like a dog trying to catch its tail. The problems do not end at this point.
To a novice the problems or repercussions are not so great because he is still somewhat in control but as he gets deeper into drugs everything becomes a major problem.
Money becomes a problem because drugs are expensive and with time, the drug addict drains all his resources and even that of his immediate family which results in his relationship with his family deteriorating.
When he is unable to obtain money normally he then resorts to crime to sustain his habits. He loses his credibility totally and no one trusts him anymore.
Initially, drugs can be fun, but as the user progress it ends up to being in perpetual misery from which there is little chance of recovery. People resort to drugs for happiness and end up in absolute misery. The nirvana they seek by way of drugs is just a fleeting mirage.
If we are searching for peace and happiness then Islam, which means “peace” is the answer. “Allah invites (us all) to the abode of peace and He guides him who wishes to be guided to the exact right path leading to the goal.” Al Quran 10:25.
Drugs, gambling, interest, fornication, adultery, stealing, materialism, partying etc. are all forbidden (“haraam”) in Islam because these things, like the way we saw with drugs, cause harm to people. There is that deceptive glitzy look and short term happiness but in the long run it ends in total misery.
“Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play and were deceived by the life of the world. That Day We shall forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs….” Al Quran 7:51
We have to teach our children to be critical and not to be fooled by the outward glitter because this is the bait which covers the hook which will trap us. We have to educate them and inform them about true peace and happiness.
Why do we have to go through the aggravation of reinventing the wheel? Islam has already shown us what is beneficial and what is harmful.
We can find a permanent blissful state, far better than the temporary utopia that drugs bring about by practising that which Islam encourages.
For example we could learn to be content by learning to control our carnal desires and this is an absolutely great quality which brings about that true inner peace that we all crave.
By being good to people we can experience love and this too is a wonderful experience especially if we do it for the sake of Allah. True love is intoxicating too but unlike drugs its effects never wear off.
So before anyone takes to drugs, they need to study a drug addict, or listen to a reformed addict and they will see for themselves that drugs lead to misery.
Note: Drugs are haraam (forbidden) because it causes harm to us and our family’s. It not only distracts us from Allah Subhanatallah but, as we have discussed, it leads us towards other evils such as lying, stealing etc. The Holy Prophet ﷺ has said: “Alcohol is the mother of all evils.” And drugs are no better. End.
Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad Sallallahu Allayhi Wasallam.
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi.
The Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi was founded by Dr/Hakim Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah RA (fondly known as Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saab RA).
Author: Mohamed Hassan Gaffoor WhatsApp; +27 84 910 1486