Accepting religious prohibitions as prohibitions is the only solution to the drug problem- Sh. Ilyas

Sheikh Ilyas Hussein has said that the only solution to the prevalent drug problem in the country is to accept haraam (religious prohibitions) as prohibitions.

Speaking at the lecture session organized by the DPRS yesterday evening, Sheikh Ilyas said that Allah prohibited the use of narcotics. He said that Allah is the creator of all things and that it is He who is most aware of what is good and bad for mankind.

Sheikh Ilyas said that drugs are prohibited in Islam, because of the textual evidence that points to their prohibition, and because of the extensive harm that they cause. He said that it keeps them from remembering Allah and worshipping Him.

The Sheikh also said that drugs cause other evil results such as heedlessness about one's honour and loss of masculinity, corruption of one's mind and mood.

Furthermore, Sheikh Ilyas said that the one who abuse drugs is subjected to the punishment for it: forty lashes, if he is a Muslim who believes that intoxicants are forbidden.

Sheikh Ilyas said that celebrating international days on combating drug abuse is not a solution for the drug problem. He also said that organizing a lecture on the day would not solve the problem.

Moreover, Sheikh Ilyas said that for an addict to stop the drug Islam calls for the total abstinence altogether, but the West does not. He said that it is for this reason; the West has been crippled to handle the problem of drugs and alcohol.

Sheikh Ilyas emphasized the importance of the scholars explaining to the people that these drugs are forbidden in the religion and point out the great harm that is caused by them. He said that the drug problem can only be solved by nurturing and educating the Muslims with the correct authentic creed of Islam.