If you look at one of the things that as muslim you are proud of, muslims do not drink intoxicants. Muslims do not do drugs. However, when Islam came to Arabia, the arabs were among the nations that adored intoxications.
They used to enjoy drinking wine. Not only that, they used to encourage one another to drink wine. And why is that? Because they used to think that drinking wine is a source of inspiration.
They used to associate drinking wine to be in generous. And that’s why generosity in Arab is “Al karam” , and the tree of grapes is knows as Al karam. So they used to think and believe that by drinking, you become generous.
By drinking you become treaties. And this is how Arabs used to be. When the Quran was revealed to our prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it came to abolish drinking intoxicants and this came over 3 stages.
The first or beginning, it stated that drinking has some benefits to it, but it has great deal of sins and the disadvantages (the cons) far exceed the advantages and pros. So it was forbidden.
This was mentioned in an Ayah or Verse when being associated with gambling. So there are benefits in wine, as Allah, The Most High tells us, however, there is great deal of sins and disadvantages as well.
And in Islam you have to weigh the pros and cons. And due to the facts that cons are far dated than the pros, Islam tells us that at beginning this is the case. The pros are far less than the cons.
That was stage one, so some of the muslims continue to drink. The second stage, when Allah told the believers that you should not pray (you should not offer) your salaat – the mandatory 5 prayers, you should not offer them in the state of intoxication.
As if Allah is telling them that the only time you are able to drink is between Isha and Fajr (between night prayer and break of dawn prayer) because the interval is quite long. Not that Allah is encouraging them to drink, but Allah is telling them that you may drink a little bit but do not get into the state of intoxication when you pray, because then your pray will not be valid. And then, after the whole community was prepared for it, only few men will used to drink still.
The third stage was implemented when Allah told them that it is an abomination, it is something that is abort and hated by Allah, so refrain from it. And they immediately (the companions, the muslims) immediately stopped drinking and never tasted it afterwards. Now a days, look at people who drink.
Or even look at those who do drugs .Why do they do these things ? As far as drinking, some would say that they do it because of the taste – it tastes good. Some do it because it makes them sociable. It makes them outgoing.
They meet people, they get out of their shell and they find themselves encourage to do things, if not intoxicated will not be able to do it. Some do it because of the peer pressure and everyone around them is drinking so they must do it. Even just for a social drink. Not necessary to be intoxicated. Unfortunately, there are those who do it simply to get wasted. There are people who drink for the sake of being completely drunk and intoxicated. It takes them away from their problems and worries. It puts them in a state of mind, even if it’s temporary, but they feel that they are able not to look into their lives as a sadden reality.
Why do people do drugs ?
Same thing – peer pressure.
They want to blend in. A lot of those who do drugs, do it, because if they don’t their friends would consider them to be unsophisticated.
They will consider them to spoil the parties so they do drugs so that everyone considers them to be cool. If you look at the sad reality, you will find that people do drugs, you will find people consuming intoxicants because it is like a shrine.
They turn to and they go, to escape from their sad reality. They just want to escape their lives and it gives them a window of opportunity 4 -5 -6 hours for them to forget what they are living. Do nations support their people to consume intoxicants or to do drugs? Alcohol was banned in the United States, I believe in the early 30’s of the previous century (20th century). But it was banned only for two or three years. It was deemed illegal. So people turned into moon-shining and manufacturing it illegally.
And there were great fines, prison sentences, etc, but people continued to do it. So in two or three years, they came back to old regulation of allowing it to be served. Drugs, on the other hand, the all nations fight it. Everyone is against it. Until recently, there are countries now that legalize the consumption of marijuana and Allah knows what will happen in the future. Will day will come when they legalize the cocaine, or heroin or crack or whatever. Allah knows best!
But if you ask one who does this how many times have you suffered from your intoxication; they will give you tens of embarrassing stories that have happened to them in their lives. Some of them would even go further to tell you about the crimes they have committed while being in that wasted state.
Why are you doing it then?
You will find women, confessing of being raped while being in the state of intoxication. You will find men committing or committed a number of crimes that they are unable to rectify and that they regret until today.
Men hitting on their sisters, hitting on their mother while being intoxicated. What is the cause of this? You are the one who is putting your brain on a plate and giving it to satan. Don’t look about the health issues, but if you ask the non-muslim doctors, they will tell you that doing drugs and consuming alcohol is bad for your health. Then Islam gives you the solution to clear and purify your system.
Now only from halal things, as we do it in ramadhan when we fast and we do not eat or drink for a certain period of the day, and also from the haram and from the things that are harmful to you, Islam fights against this type of addiction. Because you have to have grip on your will-power and you have to do all of this to please the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
And my advice to you is : isn’t it time for you to listen to your heart and thing and use your brains and quit whatever you doing, in regards of consuming intoxicants or doing drugs ? I pray to Allah The Most High, that you be successful in doing this.