As conversations around cannabis legalization grow worldwide, many Muslims are left wondering: What does Islam say about using cannabis — whether recreationally or medicinally? Is it always haram? Are there exceptions for medical treatment? What about products derived from the non-intoxicating parts of the plant, like CBD?
This article explores what Islamic scholars and sources have to say — with clarity, compassion, and nuance.
💡 Cannabis is a plant known for its psychoactive properties, particularly the compound THC, which causes intoxication.
Is Recreational Cannabis Haram?
Yes. The overwhelming consensus among Islamic scholars is that recreational cannabis use is haram (prohibited).1
Why?
Because it is intoxicating. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“…whatever causes intoxication in large amounts, a small amount of it is (also) unlawful..”
— Sunan Ibn Majah, 33922
“Every intoxicant is Khamr, and every Khamr is haram [forbidden].”
— Sahih Muslim, 2003d3
Khamr refers to anything that intoxicates the mind — not just alcohol. Scholars throughout Islamic history have extended this ruling to substances like opium, hashish, and modern narcotics, including cannabis when used to alter one’s mental state.
A Matter of Protection
Islamic rulings on intoxicants are rooted in concern for both individual and community well-being. Cannabis affects judgment, memory, and motivation, and its recreational use is often linked to spiritual disengagement, dependency, and health harm — even if it’s less dangerous than other substances.
Bottom line: Recreational use of cannabis is not permissible in Islam.4
What About Medical Use?
This is where the conversation becomes more nuanced. Some scholars allow medicinal cannabis — under strict and specific conditions.5
When Might It Be Allowed?
According to fatwas from institutions like the Fiqh Council of North America,6 IslamQA.info,7 and others,8 medicinal cannabis may be permissible if:
- There is a real medical need. The condition is serious and justifies stronger medication.
- No permissible alternatives exist. Other halal medicines or treatments have failed or been ruled out.
- A qualified, trustworthy doctor prescribes it. Ideally, this should be a Muslim doctor who understands Islamic values.
- The intoxicating effect is minimized. Low-dose formulations or derivatives that do not cause impairment are preferred.
In essence, this falls under the Islamic legal principle:
“Necessity makes the prohibited permissible.”
But necessity has conditions. Using cannabis for vague reasons like stress or sleep does not automatically make it halal.
“That which is used for a permissible purpose (e.g., medication) without intoxication or outweighing harm is permissible.”
— Mawlana Mateen Khan, MD9
(Checked and approved by: Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hamīd al-Mahmudi)
What About CBD?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. It doesn’t cause a “high” and is used in treating conditions like epilepsy, inflammation, and anxiety.
Most scholars agree that CBD is permissible if:
- It does not contain THC, or only contains trace, non-intoxicating amounts.
- It is used for legitimate therapeutic purposes.
- It is halal-certified or THC-free to avoid impurities.
So, while cannabis in general is haram for recreational use, CBD products that do not intoxicate and serve a genuine medical function are usually halal.
“There is an extract of weed that happens to be non-intoxicating. It’s a clear liquid known as CBD. Sometimes it is added into various multivitamins or supplements and sometimes foodstuffs. That is permissible because it is not intoxicating at all… in fact it has a lot of health benefits. It actually boosts your immune system and can fight certain diseases.”
— Mufti Menk10
But Don’t Some Sufis Use Cannabis in Worship?
It’s true that some Sufi groups historically used cannabis11 in certain spiritual practices — particularly in medieval Persia and Central Asia, and that some marginal Sufi groups, such as in modern Pakistan, continue this practice.12
These practices were never mainstream and were often condemned by classical scholars and conventional Muslims as “degenerate.”13 As with other intoxicants, hashish or cannabis has historically been strongly discouraged or outright prohibited by Sharia compliant schools of thought.
The idea of using cannabis to “get closer to God” contradicts the core Islamic principle that clarity of mind is essential for worship. Thus, mainstream Islamic teachings reject its use for spiritual elevation.
What About Iran? Haven’t Some Fatwas Allowed Psychoactive Substances?
There are minority views — particularly within Shia scholarship — that offer more nuanced takes on certain psychoactive or entheogenic substances, though these rulings do not specifically address cannabis in most cases.
For instance, a 2014 fatwa by Ayatollah Rohani reportedly permits the controlled use of entheogens (substances used to induce spiritual or mystical experiences), provided they are administered under strict supervision, do not harm the intellect, and serve a genuine spiritual or therapeutic purpose.14
However, this does not constitute a blanket approval of cannabis. Even under these minority opinions, recreational use remains prohibited. These rulings are also not representative of mainstream Islamic legal thought across the broader Muslim world, where the consensus continues to view cannabis as impermissible — especially for non-medical use.
Summary: What’s the Bottom Line?
- Recreational cannabis use is haram — without exception.
- Medicinal cannabis may be allowed, but only under strict conditions: genuine necessity, absence of alternatives, and proper prescription (ideally from a Muslim doctor).
- CBD is generally permissible, as long as it is non-intoxicating and halal-certified.
- Minority practices or opinions (like those of some Sufis or Iranian fatwas) exist, but the mainstream Islamic view remains clear.
Scholars Explain: Why Weed is Haram
For those looking to explore the topic of recreational and medicinal cannabis further, here are two answers from scholars:
- WEED! IS IT REALLY HARAM?
Speaker: Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk
- Marijuana is Not a Drug
Speaker: Shaykh Yahya Ibrahim
Although the secular legality of things like alcohol and cannabis may change over time, as Muslims our timeless guides remain the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).
Final Thoughts
Islam doesn’t prohibit things for the sake of restriction — it prohibits what harms us, clouds our judgment, and distances us from our spiritual potential.
If you or someone you love is considering cannabis for medical use, consult both a qualified physician and a knowledgeable Islamic scholar. Your health — physical and spiritual — deserves that level of care.
💬 Comments
Have a different perspective or a follow-up question?
Share your thoughts below — respectful discussion is always welcome!
References
- Muhammad al-Munajjid, “Does the one who smokes marijuana come under the same ruling as the one who drinks alcohol?,” IslamQA.info, Fatwa #176545, 2015, https://islamqa.info/en/answers/176545/does-the-one-who-smokes-marijuana-come-under-the-same-ruling-as-the-one-who-drinks-alcohol. ↩︎
- Muhammad Ibn Majah, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3392, https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3392. ↩︎
- Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2003d, https://sunnah.com/muslim:2003d. ↩︎
- Waleed Basyouni, “Is Marijuana Haram?,” Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America, Fatwa #85873, 2011, https://www.amjaonline.org/fatwa/en/85873/is-marijuana-haram. ↩︎
- Mawlana Mateen Khan, “Medical edible marijuana and solid intoxicants,” Darul Iftaa Canada, 2021, https://fatwa.ca/medical-edible-marijuana-and-solid-intoxicants/. ↩︎
- Mustafa Umar, “On the Use of Marijuana,” Fiqh Council of North America, 2021 (adopted in September 2, 2018 meeting), https://fiqhcouncil.org/on-the-use-of-marijuana/. ↩︎
- Muhammad al-Munajjid, “Is Medical Marijuana Prohibited in Islam?,” IslamQA.info, Fatwa #176623, 2019, https://islamqa.info/en/answers/176623/is-medical-marijuana-prohibited-in-islam. ↩︎
- Faraz A. Khan, “Is Medical Marijuana Allowed in Islam?,” Seekers Guidance, 2012, https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/is-medical-marijuana-allowed-in-islam/. ↩︎
- Mawlana Mateen Khan, Darul Iftaa Canada, 2021. ↩︎
- Ismail ibn Musa Menk, “WEED! IS IT REALLY HARAM?,” Mufti Menk, YouTube video, 2020, https://youtu.be/tvaKtu-Do9s. ↩︎
- Gabriel G. Nahas, “HASHISH IN ISLAM 9TH TO 18TH CENTURY,” Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, Vol. 58, No. 9, Dec. 1982, p. 814-831, available on the Internet Archive, https://web.archive.org/web/20191111042808/http://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC1805385&blobtype=pdf. ↩︎
- Hammad Khan, “Hashish, Sufism and modernity,” Dawn (Pakistani English-language newspaper), 2018, https://www.dawn.com/news/1414141. ↩︎
- Matthew Clark, “Sufis and Cannabis,” Seedsman.com, 2023, https://www.seedsman.com/us-en/blog/sufis-and-cannabis. ↩︎
- Benton Rooks, “Ayahuasca and the Godhead: An Interview with Wahid Azal of the Fatimiya Sufi Order,” Reality Sandwich, 2014, https://realitysandwich.com/ayahuasca-and-the-godhead-an-interview-with-wahid-azal-of-the-the-fatimiya-sufi-order/. ↩︎