Is smoking marijuana haraam?

The question of whether smoking marijuana is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam can be addressed through the concept of intoxication and the teachings found in both the Qur'an and hadith.

The Qur'an contains verses that speak to the prohibition of intoxicants. For instance, it states: O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed. 5:90. This verse underscores the harmful nature of intoxicants and encourages believers to avoid them for their spiritual success.

Additionally, the hadith literature reinforces this prohibition. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Every intoxicating substance is forbidden. Sunan Ibn Majah 31:18SunniSahih (per Al-Albani). This statement clearly indicates that anything that causes intoxication falls under the category of what is impermissible.

Scholarly interpretations, such as those found in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, elaborate on the severe consequences of indulging in intoxicants, including potential punishment in the Hereafter for those who repeatedly indulge in such activities while neglecting their prayers.

Given these teachings, smoking marijuana, which is an intoxicating substance, would generally be classified as haram in Islam. The overarching principle is that anything that impairs one's judgment or consciousness is discouraged and ultimately deemed forbidden.