Q: I was diagnosed with Chron’s Disease a year ago, and I have tried all types of medicines which have only made my condition a lot worse. Now I am at a point where I do not use medicines at all, and pray my pain will be relieved. I am the oldest child and I am feeling like a burden to my parents. I researched online for remedies and found that marijuana can be used as a remedy for the symptoms of Chron’s disease. I am very helpless because I am not sure if it would be permitted in Islam to use marijuana if it’s for medicinal purposes. I am not a pot head. I don’t smoke. I am a practicing Muslim and I try my hardest to be as good as I can. Please help me find a fatwa for this predicament. My condition is getting worse by the day.
A: Haamidaw wa Musalliyaa
With regards to utilizing something that is Haram for medicinal purposes, the general principle is that if a pious experienced Muslim physician advises that there is no other alternative substance which will have the same effect to cure a certain sickness and prescribes a certain substance which is prohibited in Sharia on the basis of necessity then utilizing such a prohibited substance in accordance to the necessity will be acceptable.
As a suggestion you may also endeavor to try some form of alternate medicine such as homeopathic medicine or the medicine of the Hakims that generally practice in the sub-continent.
May Allah ease your difficulty and grant you complete shifa from all ailments. Ameen.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Shafiq Jakhura (Mufti)
Fatwa Dept.