Drug & Alcohol Use & Their Effect On The Religion & Mind | Ustādh Raha Batts

Introduction

The speaker welcomes the audience to a one-day event in Baltimore and introduces the topic of drugs and alcohol, highlighting their harmful effects on individuals' minds, religion, blood/person, honor/lineage, and wealth.

Definition of Intoxication

• The linguistic meaning of intoxication is "covering up" or "clouding" something.

• The legislative meaning of intoxication is anything that befogs and clouds one's mind and covers it up. It affects an individual's ability to distinguish between what is beneficial and what is harmful.

• According to the Messenger of Allah, everything that intoxicates is Haram (forbidden).

Definition of Addiction

• Addiction has two types: psychological dependence and physical dependence.

• Psychological dependence refers to the personal tendency compelling the addict towards his preferred substance or narcotic such that it leads to psychological conditions.

• Physical dependence results from using the narcotic substance at a level which makes the Attic inclined towards increasing the dosage.

Effects of Addiction

• Addiction leads to a compelling yearning that controls the Attic driving him to strive to attain the desired psychological substance through any means possible under any circumstance.

Physical Dependence and Harms of Intoxicants

In this section, the speaker discusses physical dependence and the harms of intoxicants on a person's body, mind, health, and intellect.

Physical Dependence

• Physical dependence is when a person ceases being addicted to a narcotic and experiences symptoms as the body tries to rid itself of toxins.

• Symptoms are severe for opium-derived drugs like heroin and can last between two to four days.

• Physical dependence can result in death.

Harms of Intoxicants

• The harms of intoxicants are well-known and affect a person's body, mind, health, and intellect.

• Intoxicants cause a person to lose their mind by overpowering their intellect.

• A person's strength comes from three angles: intellect, strength/power in the body, and sexual strength/power.

• The highest strength comes from the intellect which distinguishes humans from animals.

• Strength in one's body helps repel harm while sexual strength brings about benefits such as lineage perpetuity.

• Whoever's desires overpower their intellect is like an animal or insane.

Effects of Intoxicants on the Mind

In this section, the speaker discusses how intoxicants affect a person's mind leading them to lose control over their actions.

Loss of Mind

• When one begins using intoxicants they lose control over their mind.

• They become like an insane person who may commit heinous crimes without realizing it.

• An example is given where an individual high on cocaine raped his mother at knifepoint then murdered her without realizing what he had done.

The Evils of Intoxicants

This section discusses the dangers and consequences of consuming intoxicants.

Intoxication Leads to Evil

• Consuming intoxicants is considered the mother of all evil.

• A man was tempted by a woman who offered him alcohol, sex, or killing a child. He chose to drink the alcohol, slept with the woman, and killed the child.

• Shaytan gains mastery over those who consume intoxicants and causes them to forget remembrance.

Consequences of Consuming Intoxicants

• Those who habitually use intoxicants are part of Shaytan's party and will not enter paradise.

• Those who die while being addicted to intoxicants will be made to drink from a river that flows from the private parts of prostitutes in Hellfire.

• Consuming intoxicants habitually is similar to worshipping idols because Allah has combined between them in one verse.

Prayer Not Accepted

• The prayer of those who consume intoxicants will not be accepted by Allah.

Introduction

This section introduces the topic of Islamic beliefs and practices.

What is Islam?

• Islam is submission to Allah's will.

• Muslims believe in one God, angels, prophets, holy books, judgment day, and predestination.

Importance of Knowledge

• Seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim.

• Ignorance can lead to misguidance and sin.

Purpose of Life

• The purpose of life is to worship Allah alone.

• Good deeds are rewarded in this life and the hereafter.

The Importance of Tawheed

This section discusses the importance of Tawheed, or the oneness of Allah.

What is Tawheed?

• Tawheed is the belief in the oneness of Allah in His Lordship, worship, and names and attributes.

• It is the foundation of Islam and distinguishes it from other religions.

Importance of Tawheed

• Tawheed is a requirement for one's actions to be accepted by Allah.

• Neglecting Tawheed can lead to shirk, or associating partners with Allah, which is a major sin.

Types of Shirk

• Major shirk involves worshipping others besides Allah.

• Minor shirk involves showing off in acts of worship or relying on something other than Allah.

The Importance of Salah

This section discusses the importance and benefits of Salah, or prayer.

What is Salah?

• Salah is a physical and spiritual act of worship that involves reciting verses from the Quran and performing specific movements.

Benefits of Salah

• Salah strengthens one's faith and connection with Allah.

• It serves as a reminder to avoid sins and do good deeds.

• It provides physical benefits such as exercise and relaxation.

Conditions for Acceptance

• Salah must be performed with sincerity, following proper procedures, at prescribed times, facing Qiblah, and with proper dress code.

The Harms of Intoxicants

This section discusses the harms of intoxicants and their impact on individuals, families, and communities.

The Consequences of Consuming Intoxicants

• Whoever consumes intoxicants will not have their prayer accepted by Allah for 40 days.

• If they repent, Allah will accept their repentance. However, if they return to consuming intoxicants again, their prayer will not be accepted for another 40 days.

• If a person continues to consume intoxicants after four times of repentance, Allah will not accept their repentance.

The Burden of Intoxication

• Those who consume intoxicants are a burden on themselves, their families, and their communities.

• They emit a foul odor and are often unaware of it due to being high.

• They are also a burden on delivery men who transport the substances.

The Curse of Intoxicants

• Allah has cursed ten categories or classes of people associated with intoxicants: those who press it, drink it, carry it (and those for whom it is carried), pour it, sell it, consume its price (i.e., profit from selling it), purchase it (and those for whom it is purchased).

• Selling intoxicants is considered Haram and a major sin that can lead to punishment in this life as well as in the Hereafter.

Preserving One's Body

This section emphasizes the importance of preserving one's body by being mindful of what one consumes.

The Importance of One's Head and Face

• A person's head and face are the most noble parts of the body.

• When these portions touch the ground during prayer, a person is closer to Allah.

Safeguarding One's Stomach

• A person should go to great lengths to preserve and safeguard what they put into their stomach.

• This includes being mindful of one's diet and avoiding consuming harmful substances.

Effects of Drug Use on the Body

The speaker discusses the effects of drug use, specifically Percocets, Oxycodone, Promethazine, and Cocaine.

Percocets

• Commonly used by youth

• Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, itching nodding slurred speech aggressiveness especially towards women and children delayed reactions.

Oxycodone

• Similar symptoms to Percocets

• Additional symptoms include weakness in one's body sweating lightheadedness dizziness.

Promethazine

• Symptoms include drowsiness headaches nightmares the feeling of dizziness restlessness a feeling of confusion.

Cocaine

• Users are typically skinny due to loss of appetite.

• Mental instability and loss of ties with friends and family.

• Other symptoms include violence, nervousness psychotic behavior hallucinations confusion anxiety sadness.

Harmful Effects of Cigarette Smoking

The speaker discusses the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on individuals' health and religious practices.

Health Harms

• Cigarettes contain many chemicals that can cause cancer and other health problems.

• Smokers have difficulty sitting through long classes or gatherings due to addiction.

• Difficulty fasting during Ramadan due to irritability caused by nicotine addiction.

Religious Harms

• Makes it difficult for smokers to attend Jumu'ah prayers or gatherings of virtue.

• Considered wasteful spending and a violation of Islamic legislation.

Generality of Drugs

• Cigarettes are considered part of the generality of drugs due to their harmful effects on the body.

• Nicotine is more harmful than arsenic and can be lethal in small amounts.

The Prohibition of Wasting Wealth on Cigarettes

This section discusses the Islamic perspective on cigarette smoking and wasting wealth.

Smoking is a Waste of Wealth

• Islam commands safeguarding and preservation of one's wealth.

• Smoking cigarettes habitually wastes thousands of dollars annually.

• Wasting wealth is Haram, and sufficient sin, transgression, and loss.

• Smokers waste their wealth by burning it, harming themselves in the process.

• Smoking can cause sicknesses such as lung cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer.

Offensive Odors are Prohibited

• Authentic narration prohibits coming close to the Masjid or approaching them for one who has eaten garlic or onions.

• The same ruling applies to those with repugnant odors such as smokers.

• Angels are offended by foul odors that harm humans.

Obligation to Remove Offensive Odor

• It is obligatory upon smokers to remove offensive odor before praying in Jama'ah.

• Utilizing something that removes the odor from oneself is necessary rather than covering it up with oil or perfume.

The Unrestricted Prohibition of Smoking

This section discusses the prohibition of smoking in Islam.

Abandonment of Smoking is Obligatory

• Abandonment of smoking is obligatory due to its harms upon Deen, body, and wealth.

Making Haram Halal: Drinking Alcohol

This section discusses the Islamic perspective on drinking alcohol.

Drinking Alcohol is Prohibited

• A group amongst the Ummah assigns other names to drinking alcohol, such as spirits.

• The names assigned to drinking alcohol do not concern us.

Introduction

The speaker talks about the importance of repentance and seeking help when needed.

Repentance and Seeking Help

• The speaker emphasizes that Hijra is not discontinued until Toba is discontinued.

• Toba is not discontinued until the sun rises from its place of setting.

• Seek professional help if needed, there's nothing wrong with it.

• If you've been tried with something from the use of intoxicants and the likes of this then do what you have to do to get help.

• May Allah protect and safeguard Muslims from these evils.