Allah says, “O you who believer, certainly wine, gambling, and divining arrows are filthy and work of Satan; so shun it if you wish to prosper.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:90)

 

The word used is Khamr. The Prophet is the interpreter of the Qur’an. He defined it – as the Caliph Umar stated on the pulpit addressing the companions, as follows: “Khamr is that which causes intoxication.”  (Al-Bukhari and others)

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said that which intoxicates when taken in large quantity taking it in the smaller portion is also haram.” (Ahmad)

 

The Prophet’s definition has been the way the above verse has been understood, applied throughout the centuries from his time onwards. So the pious generations including the companions and successors and all of the succeeding generations ruled that there is no distinction between wine and alcohol for the rationale of forbidding wine was that it causes intoxication. Preservation of mental faculty is one of the five primary objectives of the sharia.

 

Therefore, any substance that impairs rational judgment is also considered forbidden. It does not matter whether it wine, alcohol, or drugs or any other substance consumed, inhaled or injected.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.