By There are many taboos in the Muslim community, but as our society becomes more Millennial and Gen Z-centric, the taboos slowly become an everyday conversation. As we become more open to discussing the previously-considered-censored topics, MuslimGirl is ready to explore the topic of marijuana usage, regardless of the discussion between consumption vs. intention. Yes, it is mostly agreed upon that marijuana is acceptable to use for medical reasons in Islam, but where does that verdict stand when it is used recreationally? As the plant becomes more accessible in dispensaries for recreational use throughout the United States and other parts of the world, how accepting are we as a Muslim community to crack open that conversation?
Let’s be honest, weed isn’t exactly considered a “halal” pastime, but lately the opinions around the drug have been manifold. What are the chances that 420 falls during the month of Ramadan? Well, according to the lunar calendar, it was bound to happen. We aren’t here to do fatwas or tell you what’s right or wrong, so we decided to take to Instagram and ask you the question: “Do you smoke weed during the month of Ramadan?” The answers were interesting, to say the least. Check them out.
Umm… Yes
Here’s the deal – people are going to do what they want, and there’s no haram police in the world that can stop them from that. There are many arguments across the board that claim the act of fasting is between the person and Allah (SWT), and whatever else that happens after Iftar is no one else’s business. We think the following responses probably agree with the above statement.
A few users shared that they smoke so “time will pass by,” and because “the haram police do be giving [them] stress.” One answered “yes…haram/halal is relative and I see weed as something that’s from the earth.”
While one user said they engage in marijuana use recreationally because they’re “in love with that Maryjane,” one user wrote: “I smoke weed during Ramadan because Black Lives Matter!!!“
One user’s hubby does! “He loves food and he has to deal with ME so it’s much needed and deserved,” they wrote.
Medical reasons
According to some, if weed is used for medical reasons, you can’t get in between the Muslim and their mental or physical health. We know quite a few Muslims who suffer from anxiety, and smoking weed at the end of the night helps them get the sleep they need to function the next day. Obviously we are not in the business of handing out fatwas, nor do we agree or disagree with this statement, but here are some people who say that they smoke because it “literally” helps their health.
One Instagram user smokes instead of taking anxiety medication. “I’ve tried 6 [different] meds and nothing helps like weed.” One user smokes for anxiety reasons and in order to manage autism. Another smokes for bad insomnia. “Trying get CBD tablets tho cuz I don’t want to smoke during Ramadan,” they wrote.
Some use it as a part of their medical toolkit. “I plan to be intentional that I only use it as such,” they wrote. As marijuana is said to help with mental health issues, one user said they smoke because they’re “depressed and I have anxiety 😄”
“Yes. Medically cannabis aides pains to be able to submit to Allah properly. Why stop that?” another said. “Weed helps open my appetite. Without it I literally cannot eat iftar,” someone wrote.
helps with coping
This may fall under the medical marijuana categories well. Coping can be really hard for some, especially living through a pandemic. For all we know, they may have tried all the traditionally available coping skills available to them, and even non-traditional ones, such as prayer, meditation, medication, and even acupuncture. In the end, it could be the weed that finally helped them cope. We aren’t here to judge. We’re just here to see the best in people.
One user summed up her struggles — to smoke or not to smoke? Ultimately, she tried not to, but is currently smoking. “I get migraines bad, so it helps. But I cut back a LOT. I just pray Allah will count my prayers, fasting, and charity,” she wrote. “Although weed helps me health wise, I can go without for Allah.”
Another wrote: “I try not to but inevitably fail because I have trouble sleeping and staying asleep at night 😭“
Cutting back
Have you ever started a no carb diet, and on the day of your diet all you want to eat is cake and bread and sugar and pasta, and, and, and….? We’ve been there. Saying you are going to cut back really has a double-edged sword involved. And when we fail during Ramadan, we can’t even blame Shaytan, cause that dude is locked up somewhere far, far away. But even with temptation, there are those who really have the willpower of Ramadan coming through like a champ. Here are some thoughts from a couple people who are using this month to cut it out, or cut down.
Someone share that “this is my 1st Ramadan and I cut the smoking. I felt that I should. It’s definitely a luxury. I also feel for me to sleep better and be able to get up for prayer [it’s good to cut back].”
“The first week I was successful at holding off, this week was a little more difficult,” someone wrote.
One user “stopped a year ago to become closer to Allah, best decision [they] ever made.”
“isn’t weed haram?”
Ahhhh, the question of the century! Oddly enough, there is no clearly definitive answer among our readers. Some say yes, some say no. Readers, we aren’t scholars, so we can’t answer this question for you. We suggest consulting a trusted sheikh for answers or your local imam. You might be surprised at the answers you receive. Then again, you may not be surprised.
One user wrote: “I’m honestly asking, isn’t weed haram? If it isn’t, I’d love to smoke 🤤“
Another asked: “Is it even allowed? I wish I could, then maybe I’d try to fast.”
Another: “Is smoking weed halal? Like in general?”
Someone stood by the grounds that you humans are not perfect and should do as much as they can during the month: “Ramadan is a month to choose to abstain. We are not perfect, so if we are unable to abstain from something, that cannot mean that we should not observe Ramadan at all.”
No, it’s haram
And here it is – the ones who know for sure what haram, makrooh, and halal. Many Muslims use the Hadith in which the Prophet is said to have said “Every intoxicant is unlawful,” as proof that smoking weed is haram. [Sahih Muslim 1733]
We wish we had this kind of confidence in knowing the answer, given that even scholars have differing opinions on the permissibility of marijuana, for varying reasons. But for those of you who are secure in your knowledge, we say “masha’Allah.” Insha’Allah we all can achieve your level of enlightenment.
Many believed “here is no reason to smoke during Ramadan.”
Some do not but are supportive or smokers! “Nope! But I have absolutely nothing against people who do :),” they wrote.
We received many answers along the lines of “It’s an intoxicant so it’s haram either way, Ramadan or not. 🤷♀️ Other than the extract for medical use,” “It’s haram. Do you lack brain cells?” and “first off… that’s haram.. any justification or reasoning won’t be valid enough after knowing that. 🙊.”
And then there’s this person. Moms always know best, they say: “No, I don’t. My mom gonna kill me if I do.”
At the end of the day, we aren’t here to judge, but we really wanted to know what you all were doing – and you were more than willing to give us your responses. As you can see, the answers were all over the place with variants from “Yep!” to “Are you crazy?”
Here’s one thing we know for sure, though: We don’t want to see anyone walk away from this blessed month because they feel judged by others for what they do or don’t do. Your journey in Islam is between you and Allah (SWT), and that is all that matters.
Maybe you smoke after Iftar this year and maybe in the future you decide not to. Where do you fall on the spectrum? The point is to ask yourself what you want to get out of this year’s Ramadan, and see how your habits are or are not supporting you in your goals, and adjust accordingly. Just because you smoke doesn’t mean you should give up on Ramadan altogether. This is a month that invites us to try our best. Imagine if we stopped working on our relationship with Allah just because we did one thing wrong, so we gave up on everything, or if we stopped praying altogether just because we missed one prayer. Islam has never been a religion of extremes. So if you have some habits that are less than perfect, it’s still okay to observe and participate in Ramadan. You don’t need to wait until you’re perfect to start practicing your deen.
What do you think about smoking weed during Ramadan? We want to hear from you. Slide in our DMs at @muslimgirl on Twitter and Instagram.