The young Muslims of today are facing an ever-increasing number of plights, one of the most important of which is drugs. But, what is Islam’s view on this issue? How should Muslims regard drugs? To know this, we must see what the Quran and the prophet’s and Imams’ conducts (Sirah) say regarding narcotics.

Since drugs were not known at the advent of Islam, therefore we cannot see any direct evidence in the Sirah on this issue throughout history; so the only way is referring to general rules and principles of jurisprudence.

In general, it has been indicated, firstly, that since drug consuming inflicts tremendous losses, it is considered as forbidden (Haram), unless medical emergencies and necessities require it. Secondly, buying and selling it, is forbidden except where rational, lawful benefits are received, such as medicine production. This form of usage must be under precise official supervision and control. Based on these facts, Muslim scholars hammered out four rational and crystal clear reasons for the forbiddance of drug consumption:

1. All Intoxicants Are Unlawful

All intoxicants are regarded as forbidden because of their inebriant repercussions, as well as their physical-mental adverse effects on individuals and communities. Moreover, drug consumption causes moral degeneration, body and intellect corruption, inflicts severe cultural, social and economic losses and finally ruins societies.

Someone who suffers drug addiction is not able to oversee his behavior, loses his zeal, motivation and common sense, and as a result is ready to do anything to obtain drugs without any consideration. A Drug-addicted person, also, cannot fully adhere to his Islamic practices, since drugs turn him into an irresponsible and a total inefficacious human.

2. The Method of the Wise

Wise men throughout history always avoided using drugs and this attitude is entirely in line with the Islamic law (Shari’a). Following in the footsteps of great personalities and considering their lifestyle is an authoritative way and a logical ground to reason against drug consumption.

3. “No Harming, nor Reciprocating Harm”

This rule is one the most important and fundamental jurisprudential rules which is applied to a wide range of Islamic teachings. On this basis, people should not engage in deeds that inflict excessive losses. Today, we can say from experience that drug consumption encompasses significant social and individual damages and creates completely irresponsible generations. Accordingly, the rule of “No harming nor reciprocating harm” can provide us with the most rational ground to argue against drug consumption; its adverse effects are not only directed to the drug-addicted person himself/herself but also his/her family, relatives and even the whole society.

Furthermore, drug addiction is one of the most significant causes of self-destructing and life-ruining behaviors. We have a clear affirmation about this reality as Allah Almighty says: “and do not cast yourselves with your own hands into destruction” (2:195).

4. Lawfulness of Good Things and Prohibition of Vicious Ones

In Islam, every evil thing which results in heavy losses is forbidden (Haram); clearly, the drug with its many negative effects on a broad spectrum of people is categorized as highly harmful. There is a vivid indication on this claim in the Holy Quran: “He makes lawful to them all the good things and forbids them from all vicious things” (7:157).

The weakness in wisdom and perception power can be considered among the most important disadvantages of drug consumption; therefore, Islam names “common sense preservation” as the most important obligation for a Muslim. Now it is easy to understand why the Islamic law (Shari’a) bans all sorts of intoxicants like alcohol, drugs, etc.

It is noteworthy that based on the first-ever report on worldwide addiction statistics released by researchers, which uses data from sources including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, drug addiction has reached epidemic levels across the globe and there were 230 million drug users worldwide in 2015. The report found that drug takes a higher toll on “productive years of life lost” than does any other intoxicant. That means people dependent on drugs not only die younger but also have poor health over a more extended period. Drugs affect their work, relationships, and consequently reduce their quality of life [1].

These results prove how far Islam predicts the disadvantages of using drugs and why it is declared as forbidden (Haram) on almost all of the Islamic decrees.

References:

1. Drug
2. Drug
3. Drug

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was the last messenger of Allah Almighty sent to human beings to guide them towards a more prosperous and meaningful life: "O Prophet! Indeed, We have sent you as a witness, as a bearer of good news and as a warner. and as a summoner to Allah by His permission, and as a radiant lamp." (33:45-46). 

You might be interested to know more details on his delegation (be' tha). So, follow us to find out more.

1. How did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) Receive his First Revelation?

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was born into the tribe of Quraysh, one of the prominent tribes of Mecca. He was known as an honest and faithful man such that he was called Al-Amin [i], meaning trustee. 
He used to spend some hours alone out of town in Hira cave to worship, contemplate and reflect the state of people of that time and the aspects of creation. It was during one of these occasions that he received the divine message of prophethood. He was nearly 40 at that time. It was Rajab the 27th on 610 CE that the Archangel Gabriel (Jibreel) appeared before him and said: "Read." Muhammad (PBUH&HP) replied: "I am not able to read." This was repeated two more times. Then, the angel Gabriel recited the first verses of the Quran:

"Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
Created man from a clinging substance. 
Recite, and your Lord is the Most Generous –
Who taught by the pen -
Taught man that which he knew not." (96:1-5)

And, his mission started there.

2. How Was the Condition of the People in that Era?

According to Imam Ali (AS), Allah Almighty sent Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) as a warner (against vice) for all the worlds and a trustee of His revelation. That was while the people of his time were following the worst religion. They resided among rough stones and venomous serpents, drank dirty water and ate filthy food, shed each other's blood, and did not care about their relationships. They worshiped and respected Idols, and sins were clinging to them [1].

3. Who Testified to the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH&HP) First?

Imam Ali (AS) sometimes accompanied Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) when he went to Hira cave. And, the day that the Archangel Gabriel appeared before the Prophet (PBUH&HP), Imam Ali (AS) was there, too. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) said to Imam Ali (AS) that: "O Ali, you see all that I see and you hear all that I hear, except that you are not a Prophet, but you are a vicegerent and you are surely on (the path of) virtue." [3].

Afterward, being perplexed by this happening, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) went home to describe what has happened to his wife, Khadija (AS). She (AS) was the first woman who testified to the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH&HP). And according to the authentic resources, the first man was Ali (AS) [2]. Imam Ali (AS) has described the situation like this: "In those days Islam did not exist in any house except that of the Prophet of Allah (PBUH&HP) and Khadijah (AS), while I was the third after these two." [3].

4. How Did people react to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) Claim about His Prophethood?

In the beginning and according to divine guidelines, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) did not reveal his revelations publicly. Still, it was confined to a small circle of his family, close friends, and whoever he thought was eligible. In this period, the aim was to find real loyal fellows, although few. Of course, polytheists found about it, but they did not take it seriously [4].  

Three years later, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) began to preach to his clan members by receiving the command to "Warn the nearest of your kinsfolk" (26:214). But he mostly received ridicule and mockery. Allah Almighty ordered him not to give up and make his mission publicly known: "So proclaim what you have been commanded, and turn away from the polytheists" (15:94).

The rich people of Mecca saw their power and wealth in danger with the ideas that Muhammad's (PBUH&HP) new religion proposed like social equality, sharing the wealth with needy people, and rejecting idols. On the contrary, people of the lower classes, slaves, and women were those who embraced Islam very soon [4]. 

According to the details above, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was chosen by Allah almighty at the time when humanity was at its dawn, and morality was long disappeared among humankind. He was the one who once more reminded human beings of the concept of humanity and the reason for creation.

Notes:

[i] In the "Age of Ignorance" (before the advent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP)), people did not trust each other much and did not care about the safekeeping of others' affairs. But, everyone in Mecca trusted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), and when they went to business travels, they entrusted their valuable goods to him. So, he was given the nickname "Al-Amin." And, this title continued to be used for the Prophet (PBUH&HP) after the emergence of Islam, too, although some people had become against him since he fought idolatry. 

References:

1. "Nahjul Balaqah", Sermon 26.
2.  Allamah Amini, “Al-Ghadir”, vol. 3, p. 236.
3. "Nahjul Balaqah", Sermon 192.
4.  Jafar Morteza Amoli, “Al-Sahih Min Sirat Al-Nabi Al-Azam”