Question:
What does one need to do if one has gotten into drugs and is not making salah?
Country: United States
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
Drugs are clearly haraam (forbidden) in Islamic law, mainly due to the intoxicating factor – all intoxicants are forbidden to ingest – and also due to the fact that it creates ‘harm‘, not only to the body but to the soul, as well as to other souls around the addict. The Prophet Muhammad (‘alayhis salam) stated, “There is to be no causing of harm or the reciprocation thereof.” [It is Sahih/ rigorously authenticated]
So the first step, which seems to be realized by the questioner, is to understand that drugs are absolutely forbidden according to the Divine message humanity has received from the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The next thing that one should do, however, is realize that the Ultimately Compassionate and Loving, Allah – glorified and exalted is He – is forgiving. If you turn to Him in regret with total sincerity, and certainty, begging Him through your Love of Him and your desire to follow His way, to aid you in removing this evil addiction, He will come to your aid.
“Say: “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [39:53]
The next step varies depending on the type of person one may be. Considering the fact that you live in a country that has rehabilitation centers, the USA, you should definitely seek medical treatment and assistance from medical professionals. Some drugs are simply too harmful and addictive to beat ‘cold-turkey‘, and may need medical treatment to beat. If the drug happens to be alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org) is a great support network in beating the habit. One of the principles utilized in their program is to change your milieu, particularly your friends. This is definitely the way of the Prophet Muhammad:
“A man is upon the religion of his friend, so beware who you befriend!” [Sahih] and also the Hadith, “A man will be with the one he loves”.
Therefore it is necessary – i.e. obligatory (wajib) – to change your environment, get rid of the grimey friends that you think may be helping you, but are in fact only hurting you, and start surrounding yourself with people who do not do drugs and that have proper spiritual awareness and connection with the Ultimately Loving and Compassionate Lord of all. How?, you may ask. By going to the masjid every chance you may have. Do not leave yourself alone with the Shayton (the curse of God be upon him!), for it is obvious that you have succumb to his whisperings! Fight his darkness with the light (nur) of Allah’s love that one sees manifested upon those who attend regular congregational prayers at the mosque, the light of the Sunnah, and the light of the Qur’an. Make your new abode the abode of drawing closer to your Sustainer and Ultimate Nurturer! Such can only happen through a support network of men / or women (if you are a sister), who realize the ultimate truth and reality: that all is null except that attached to Allah! La ilaha illa Allah! Remember, dear brother or sister, that death is ever near and the time for us all to turn away from the mundane is now not later.
Regarding the issue of abandoning Salah (prayer), one must understand that Salah is not an empty physical act, but an expression of communicating with the Divine, an act that purifies the outer and inner. If it is abandoned, one has lost their connection with the Divine and is bound to enter into the forbidden doors that lead to Hell,
“The one who abandons Salah has disbelieved” من ترك الصلاة فقد كفر [Sunan, its Sahih]
This hadith, according to the upright scholars and sages of the Shafi’i school, does not mean that he has left Islam, but that this “disbelief/kufr” means that such a person has been filled with the darkness of evil and turned away from his Creator, directing himself to the possible punishment of hell – we ask Allah’s protection! One must submit to the Divine command of Salah (prayer). Salah is guardian for the believer from evil. Allah says,
“…and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” [29:45]
“Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord; Establish regular prayers; spend, out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (eternal) home,-Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation): (Saying): Peace be unto you because ye persevered. Ah, passing sweet will be the sequel of the (heavenly) Home.” [13:19-25]
It is through prayer that one seeks to draw near to the Lord of all, to align one’s heart towards Him and to shun attachment to the ending realm for attachment to the eternal realm. We are commanded, as Muslims, to seek help in our prayer, beseeching Allah in our prostration, as Allah says in the Qur’an: “O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” (2:153)
The upshot is: 1) Turn to Allah out of love for the fact he has given you the many blessings you have and beg of Him to forgive you – for He certainly will, 2) Change your environment, particularly friends, and realign yourself towards those who love Allah. Seek His mercy by attending the masjid, 3) Seek help with medical professionals or organizations that aid in addictions. Make that help sourced from your desire to turn to the Loving Lord of all. 4) Start making Salah immediately, asking Allah to help you in your sajdah (prostration).
Lastly, if it is possible, find and seek the counsel from a reliable Shaykh of the path of Sunni tasawwuf, or listen to lectures from one. Due to the fact that you live in America, we would like to point out that there are American scholars of purifying the heart, such as Imam Zaid Shakir, Sh. Hamza Yusuf, Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar, Shaykh Nuh Keller, Imam Abdul Latif Finch and many others of immense blessing and merit. The advice of our beloved Imam Ash-Shafi’i (radiya Allahu anhu) was to work on the heart through tasawwuf as well as to study the law, and therefore we convey that advice to you as well. It will help to align your soul to Allah – the majestic. We ask Allah to cure you of your addiction, as well as all who read this dealing with addictions, Amin! May Allah send His abundant blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions, and his followers!
and Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.