THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS

THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com The Silent Plague in Our Communities: Drugs There is no doubt to the fact that our beautiful Dīn Islām, encourages self-care, and is built on the positive tenets of hope, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. Similarly, Allāh has created man in the best of form by bestowing him with a brain and a mind so that he may be able to lead a good and organized life on earth. • Islām places great importance on the preservation of the mind, which is a gift from Allāh that should not be neglected. Allāh says: ‫ﵸ ﵝال ِإ ۡس َراء الآية ﵖﵓﵜ‬٣٦ ‫ﵹإِ َّن ٱل َّس ۡم َع َوٱلۡ َب َص َر َوٱلۡ ُف َؤا َد ُك ُّل أُ ْو َ َٰٓلئِ َك َكا َن َع ۡن ُه َم ۡس ُـول ٗا‬ “Indeed, the ears, eyes, and hearts will all be held responsible for their deeds.” (Isrā’ 17:36) • The word “fuād” which is used for the heart here, also includes the mind. • Hence, we will be asked about the mind on the Day of Judgment, specifically asked about what we did with it. Ḥāfiẓ ibn Kathīr () commenting on this verse states: ‫ توُسأل َعَ ْئَ ُه‬،‫ َس ُي ْس َأ ُل أْلَ َعَ ْئَ ُذ َعَ ْن َهَأ َيَ ْوَم أّْلِ ِفَ َئَا َم ِة‬:‫ َهَ ِذ ِه أل ِ ّصِ َفَا ُت ِم َن أل َس ْم ِع َوأْل َبَ َص ِر َوأْلِّ ُفُ َوا ِد { َكا َن َعَ ْئَ ُه َم ْسَ ُئُولا} َأ ْي‬:‫ { ُك ُّل ُأوََل ِ َئ َك} َأ ْي‬:‫َوَق ْوُل ُه‬ .‫َو َع َّمأ َعِم َل ِفن َهَا‬ (‫) ِّي َفسيرابن ك َثير‬ “(All will be held) means these faculties, hearing, sight and the heart, (Responsible) means, the person will be asked about them on the Day of Resurrection, and they will be asked about him and what he did with them.” (Tafsīr ibn Kathīr) In the same way, the Prophet () tells us: 1









THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com • We should know that by beautifying intoxicants and doing drugs the goal and aim of Shayṭān is to get the servant to do acts that lead him to eternally being destined into Hellfire which is the dwelling of Shayṭān and the losers. Abū al-Dardā’ () states that my close friend the Prophet () advised me: ،‫ َوَلا تَ ْش َر ِت ا ْل َّخَ ْم َر‬،‫ َفَ َفَ ْذ بَ ِ ئرَ ْب ِم َْئ ُه أل ِذ َّم ُة‬،‫ َف َم ْن بَ َرَك ََهأ ُم َئَ َ َع ِم ًذا‬،‫ َوَلا َب ْي ُر ْك َضلَا ًة َم ْكْ ُئُوَب ًة ُم َ َئ َ َع ِم ًذا‬،‫ َ ِوأ ْن ُفَ ِط ْ َع َب َو ُح ِرْف َب‬،‫«لَا تُ ْش ِر ْك ِبالَّل ِه َس ْي ًبَا‬ . »‫َف ِأ َّن ََهأ ِ ِّم َْف ََئا ُج ُك ِل َش ٍر‬ (‫)رواه ابن ماحة‬ “Do not associate anything with Allāh, even if you are cut and burned. Do not neglect any prescribed prayer deliberately, for whoever neglects it deliberately no longer has the protection of Allāh. And do not drink wine (do not consume intoxicants), for it is the key to all evil.” (Ibn Mājah) Muʿādh ibn Jabal () narrates that the Prophet () advised me: .»‫ َ ِوأ َّبأ َك َوأَْل َم ْعْ ِصَ َئَ َة؛ َف ِأ َّن ِبأ ْلَ َم ْعْ ِصَ َ َئ ِة َح َّل َسَحُ ُط الَّل ِه لجو زع‬،‫«لَا تَ ْش َ برَ َّن َخ َْم ًرا؛ َف ِأ َّب ُه َرْأ ُس ُك ِل َفا ِح َس ٍة‬ (‫)رواه اخمذ‬ “Do not drink wine (do not consume intoxicants), for it is the beginning of every indecency; avoid acts of disobedience, for on their account Allāh’s wrath descends.” (Aḥmad) The scholars of Islām have stated: ‫« َهَ ِذ ِه ا ْل َح ِسي َس ُة أل ُّص َْل َ َئ ُة َح َرا ٌم َشُ َوا ٌء َشَ ِك َر ِم ْن َهَأ َأ ْو ََل ْم تَ ْ َس َك ْر؛ َوأل ُّ َس ْك ُر ِم ْن ََهأ َح َرا ٌم ِبايِّ َفَا ِق أْلَ ُم ْس ِلِمي َن؛ َوَم ْن أ ْس َت َح َّل َد ِل َك َوَر َع َم َأ َّب ُه َحلَا ٌل َف ِأ َّب ُه‬ .»‫تُ ْس َي ََبا ُت‬ (‫)م َّحمُوغ أ ِّلفَئَاوي‬ “This hard piece of grass (weed) is forbidden whether it is enough to intoxicate or not. It is forbidden by consensus of the scholars and whoever claims it to be permissible, he must hasten towards repentance.” (Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā) Ibn Ḥajar al-Haythamī () narrates: .»‫« َفأ َل ََي ْعْ ُضَُه ْم َ ِوفي َأ ْك ِل ا ْل َح ِسي ِس ِما َب ٌة َو ِعَ ْش ُرو َن َم َص َّرًة ِدب ِي َّ َب ًة َوُد ْي َنَ ِوَّب ًة‬ (‫)ألِّ َف َئاوي أ ِّلفَّقهئَة ألكيري‬ “Some scholars say that there are 120 worldly and religious detriments in consuming cannabis.” (Al-Fatāwa al-Fiqhīyah al-Kubrā) • Subḥān Allāh! Not 10, not 20, but 120 harmful things occur by the consumption of drugs! • Whoever consumes intoxicants in this world and does not repent from it, will be deprived of the pure drink in the Hereafter. The Prophet () states: 6

THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com .»‫ ََل ْم تَ ْش َ ْرن ََهأ ِفي أْلإ ِح َرِة‬،‫ َوَم ْن َش ِر َت ا ْل َّخَ ْم َر ِفي أل ُّذ ْي ََنأ َف َما َت َو ُ ُه َو ُب ْذ ِم ُن ََهأ ََل ْم َب ُي ْب‬،‫ َ ُوك ُّل ُم ْسَ ِك ٍر َح َرا ٌم‬،‫« ُك ُّل ُم ْسَ ِك ٍر َخ َْم ٌر‬ (‫)رواه مسلم‬ “Every intoxicant is khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden. He who drinks wine in this world and dies when he is addicted to it, not having repented, will not drink it in the next.” (Muslim) In another narration it is mentioned: .»‫ َف َل ْم تُ ْ ِّس َقَهَا‬،‫ ُح ِرَم ََهأ ِفي أْلإ ِح َرِة‬،‫ َف َل ْم َب ُي ْب ِم ْن َهَا‬،‫« َم ْن َش ِر َت ا ْل َّخَ ْم َر ِفي أل ُّذ ْي َنَا‬ (‫)رواه مسلم‬ “He who drank wine in the world and did not repent would be deprived of it (the pure drink) in the Hereafter.” (Muslim) The Prophet () states: ‫َكا َن َحَ َفأ‬ ‫َف ِأ ْن َغا َد أل َّرا ِيَ َعَ َة‬ ،‫ت َاوَلَمّل ُْهن َغَ َلَِّشْ َئَفَ ِاهُه‬،َ‫ب َفُ ِذأ َْأنْ َهَب ِال َألت ََّبَباا ِر‬،‫صَ َئَ«ا ًَحضاِذ‬:َ ‫ َِسل َبْأب َر َُضُشلَوَا ُبل ُاهلََّألِْهَرَي ِ؟عَ َيف َأ َنل‬.‫ َِِرطوَََئمَئَأت ِةُ ِماط ْ َئْلَسََئَّخَ َ ُئَِةكأ ًاِرألْل َخََُّ َئي»ِحأ‬:‫وَُِفهم َبِْمَن ْلَنش‬،َ‫ َف» ََئ‬،ِ ‫ُهََ ُحَِوكم َف ُّْألن َغُ ِلمَط ْيئَ َسَئَالَِِّةكل ٍِاهر َْلأ ََّخَ َْحئَنَأتَرِا ٌْلم ِّس‬،‫ َ َْخكِْسّمَاٌِفَََرَئن‬،َ‫َِغملَ« ُْكين ُّالَلَّحل َُِمهَرَّحاَِِأمم ْ ٍِنهرت‬ ‫َحلَا َل ُه‬ ‫َ َص ِ َعي ًرأ َلا ََي ْعَ ِر ُف‬ (‫)رواه أيَوداود‬ “Every intoxicant is khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden. If anyone consumes intoxicants, Allāh will not accept prayer from him for forty days, but if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance. If he repeats it a fourth time, it is binding on Allah that He will give him Ṭīnat al- Khabāl to drink. He was asked: What is Ṭīnat al-Khabāl, Messenger of Allāh? He replied, Discharge of wounds, flowing from the inhabitants of Hell. If anyone serves it to a minor who does not distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful, it is binding on Allāh that He will give him to drink the discharge of wounds, flowing from the inhabitants of Hell.” (Abū Dāwūd) • The people of Jannah will be served a pure wine which is sealed. • It is a pure, clean wine that does not affect the mind and does not cause any intoxication, harm, or damages. Allāh says: ‫ﵸ ﵝال ُم َط ِف ِفين من الآية ﵕﵒ الى الآية ﵖﵒﵜ‬ٞۚ‫ك‬ٞ ‫ ِخ َتَٰ ُم ُهۥ ِم ۡس‬٢٥ ‫ﵹي ُ ۡس َق ۡو َن ِمن َّر ِحي ٖق َّمخۡ ُتو ٍم‬ “They will be given a pure sealed (preserved) wine to drink (completely unlike the impure and intoxicating wine of this world). The seal of which is musk.” (Muṭaffifīn 83:25,26) • Al-Rahīq is one of the names of the wine in Paradise which will be sealed with musk. Ibn ʿAbbās () says: .»‫ ُح ِنم ِيَِم ْس ٍك‬،‫ َف َكا َن أ ِح ُر َش ْي ٍء ُحُ ِعَ َل ِفن َهَأ ِم ْس ٌك‬،‫«ط َّ َئ َب الَّل ُه َلَ ُهَ ُم ا ْل ََخّ ْم َر‬ (‫) ِّيفَسيرابن كثَير‬ “Allāh will make the wine have a pleasant aroma for them, so the last thing that He will place in it will be musk. Thus, it will be sealed with musk.” (Tafsīr ibn Kathīr) 7

THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com It is mentioned in Tafsīr al-Saʿdī that: ]‫وي ّحَئَمل أن المراد أبه [ألذي‬.‫ مسك‬,‫ ألذي حنم به‬،‫ ودلك ال َّح َئام‬،‫ أو ِيّ َفسذ طعَمه‬،‫«ي َحّ َئمل أن الم ارد م َحّئُوم عَن أن بذاحله شيء ينْفَص لذبه‬ ‫ تكُون‬,‫ ألذي حرت ألَ َعادة في ألذي َنأ أبه براق‬،‫ فهذأ ألكذرمئَه‬،‫ وهي المسك ألإدفر‬،‫ ألذي تشريَون مئَه ألرحئُق ح َئألة‬،‫تكُون في أحرألإباء‬ .»‫في الحَّ َئة نهذه الم َئابة‬ (‫) ِّيفَسيرألسَعَذي‬ “What is meant is that it is sealed to prevent anything from being added that may distract from its pleasure or spoil its taste and that the seal with which it is sealed is musk. Or it may mean that the residue at the bottom of the vessel from which they will drink that pure wine, will be the finest musk. This residue that is left at the bottom of the glass is usually thrown away in this world, but in Paradise, it will be of extremely high quality.” (Tafsīr al-Saʿdī) • In addition, this beverage of Paradise will be mixed with Tasnīm which is going to be the most honorable drink for the people of Jannah. Allāh says: ‫ﵸ ﵝال ُم َط ِف ِفين الآية ﵗﵒﵜ‬٢٧ ‫ﵹ َو ِم َزا ُج ُهۥ ِمن ت َ ۡسنِي ٍم‬ “Its mixture shall be of Tasnīm.” (Muṭaffifīn 83:27) .»‫ محلُوطة بألرحئُق وغيره من ألإشربة أللذبذة‬:‫ أي‬،‫«وهي أغلي أشربة الحَّئَة غلي ألإطلاق‬ (‫) ِّي َفسيرألسَعَذي‬ “It is absolutely the best drink in paradise. Meaning it will be mixed with nectar and other delicious drinks.” (Tafsīr al-Saʿdī) • Just as consuming intoxicants is prohibited in Islām. • Purchasing and selling intoxicants is equally prohibited in Islām. • It is not permissible to sell intoxicants to anyone be it Muslim or non-Muslim. • Nor is it permissible to sell it or buy it on behalf of someone. The Prophet () states: .»‫ َوَلا َي َِن ْع‬،‫ َف َم ْن َأ ْد َرَك ْثَ ُه َهَ ِذ ِه أْلإ َب ُة َو ِعَ َْئ َذ ُه ِم ْن ََهأ َش ْي ٌء َفلَا تَ ْش َر ْت‬،‫«ِأ َّن الل َه ََي َعَا َلي َح َّرَم ا ْل َخَّ ْم َر‬ (‫)رواه مسلم‬ “Verily, Allāh has forbidden intoxicants. Whoever knows this verse and has some of it, let him neither drink it nor sell it.” (Muslim) Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī () the narrator of this ḥadīth adds: .»‫« َفأ ْشَ َِئّ َْف َ َئ َل أل ََّبا ُس ِي ََمأ َكا َن ِعَ ْئَ َذ ُه ِم ْن َهَأ ِفي ط ِريَ ِق أَْل َم ِذي ََن ِة َف َ ّسِ ََف ُكُو َ َها‬ (‫)رواه مسلم‬ “The people came out into the street with what they had and poured it out.” The Prophet () also states: 8

THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com .»‫ َوأْلَ َم ْ َحّ ُ ُموَل َة ِأَلَ ْئَ ِه‬،‫ َو َحا ِم َلَ َهَا‬،‫ َوُم ْ َع َئ ِص َر َ َها‬،‫ َو َغا ِص َر َ َها‬،‫ َوُم ْ َئ َبَا َع ََها‬،‫ َ َوبا َِي َع َهَا‬،‫ َو َسا ِف َن َهَا‬،‫ َو َسا ِ َرن ََها‬،‫« ََل َعَ َن الَّل ُه ا ْل ََخّ ْم َر‬ (‫)رواه أيَوداود‬ “Allāh cursed wine, drinkers, servers, traders, purchasers, extractors, producers, carriers and those it is carried to.” (Abū Dāwūd) Imām al-Nawawī () writes in Kitāb al-Majmūʿ: .»‫ َف ُك ُّل ُه َبا ِط ٌل ِبلَا ِحلَا ٍف ِعَ َْئ َذ َبا‬،‫ َأ ْو َ َّوك َل أَْل ُم ْس ِل ُم ِد ِم َئأ ِفي ِش َراِن ََهأ َل ُه‬،‫ َأ ْو َي ََنا َيَ َع ََهأ ِد ِم َّئَا ِن‬،‫ َ ُش َوا ٌء َبا َع َهَأ ُم ْس ِل ٌم َأ ْو ِد ِم ٌّي‬،‫« َأ َّن َي ْنْ َع ا ْل ََّخ ْم ِر َبا ِط ٌل‬ (‫)كْ َئات ألم َّح ُموغ‬ “Selling intoxicants is forbidden whether it is sold to a Muslim or a non-Muslim, or a non-Muslim sells it to another non-Muslim, or the Muslim hires (delegates) a non-Muslim to sell it for him. All of this is unquestionably prohibited and forbidden, in our view.” (Kitāb al-Majmūʿ) • Given all of this, how do we protect our youth from falling into drug abuse and illegal drug trade? To be continued…… in shā’ Allāh. ،‫ َأ ْشَ َئَ ْعْ ِ َف ُر َك َوَأ ُيَو ُت ِأَلَ ْئَ َك‬،‫ َأ ْش َهَ ُذ َأ ْن َلا ِأَل َه ِألَّا َأئْ َب‬،‫ ُس ْت َحا َب َك أللَ َُه َّم َ ِويَ َحّ ْم ِذ َك‬،‫ َ ِويَ َّح ْم ِذ ِه‬،‫ُس ْت َحا َن الل ِه‬ “Glory is to Allāh Who is above all faults and Praise be to Him, I testify that none is worthy of worship but You, I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You.” (Mustadrak al-Ḥākim) First, we need to realize that our children are a weighty trust placed upon our shoulders and we will be accountable for how we have rendered this trust in front of our Lord Allāh. The Prophet () states: .»‫ َوَ َول ِذ ِه َوِه َي َم ْ َس ُئُوَل ٌة َعَ ْن ُهَ ْم‬،‫ َوأل َم ْرَأ ُة َرا ِعَ َئَ ٌة َغلَي َأ ْهَ ِل َب ْي ِب َرْو ِج َهَا‬،‫ َو ُ ُه َو َم ْسَ ُئُو ٌل َعَ ْن َر ِعَ َّئَ ِ َب ِه‬،‫« َوأل َّر ُح ُل َرا ٍغ َغلَي َأ ْهَ ِل َب ْي ِ َب ِه‬ (‫)مئِّفُق غلبَه‬ “A man is the guardian of his family and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children and she is responsible for them.” (Agreed Upon) • Therefore, the family should be a place of refuge for children, their fortress by which they are protected, and their first school, where they are born, nourished, cared for, and where they learn from. • It is for this reason Allāh tells us in the Qur’ān that the family unit should be based on a foundation of love and affection, to enjoy the fruits of mercy and cohesion, tranquility, and peace. Allāh says: ‫ﵸ ﵝال ُّروم الآية ﵑﵒﵜ‬ٞۚ ‫ﵹ َو ِم ۡن َءا َيَٰتِهِ ٓۦ أَ ۡن َخلَ َق لَ ُكم ِم ۡن أَن ُف ِس ُك ۡم أَ ۡز َوَٰ ٗجا لِ َت ۡس ُك ُن ٓواْ إِلَ ۡي َها َو َج َع َل بَيۡ َن ُكم َّم َو َّد ٗة َو َر ۡحمَة‬ “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy.” (Rūm 30:21) • In order that children growing in the shade of such a cohesive family are sheltered and nourished, they must be protected from all manners of societal evils. 9

THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com • Studies have shown that ninety-five percent of those children who have fallen into the substance abuse of addictive drugs were said to have come from dysfunctional families. • Their parents and wider family paid no attention to the wellbeing of their children and the result was the children sought comfort elsewhere, to their detriment. • Children and especially teenagers seek belonging. • Resisting social and peer pressure is not easy. • This vulnerability and the tendency toward risky behaviors at their age make them extremely susceptible to drug use. • Drugs are everywhere—on television, social media, movies, and of course, their friends. • In contrast to this, how many a family through its intimate sense of protective care and cohesiveness was able to raise children who became distinguished in their morals and deeds. • Children who excelled not only in their academic studies but more importantly their character, going on to become assets to their wider communities and ultimately sources of pride to their societies. • Second, we need to understand that the development of a sense of religious faith and a deep-felt spirituality in the hearts of our children is one of the primary means by which we can protect them from drugs, so parents must pay special attention to this. • This was the way and wisdom of Luqmān () who the Qur’ān mentions as giving his son advice, wherein he reminded him of the omnipotence of Allāh, strengthening his son’s faith in Him. He advised his son: ٞ‫َخبِير‬ ‫لَ ِطي ٌف‬ ‫ٱّ َّل َل‬ ‫إِ َّن‬ ٞۚ‫ٱّ َّل ُل‬ ‫بِ َها‬ ‫يَأۡ ِت‬ َۡ ‫ف ِي‬ ‫أَ ۡو‬ ‫ٱل َّس َمَٰ َوَٰ ِت‬ ‫ف ِي‬ ‫أَ ۡو‬ ‫َص ۡخ َر ٍة‬ ‫ف ِي‬ ‫َف َت ُكن‬ ‫َخ ۡر َد ٖل‬ ‫ِم ۡن‬ ٖ‫َح َّبة‬ ‫ِم ۡث َقا َل‬ ‫تَ ُك‬ ‫إِن‬ ٓ‫إِ َّن َها‬ ‫ﵹ َيَٰ ُب َن َّي‬ ‫ٱلأۡر ِض‬ ‫ﵸ ﵝلُ ۡق َمان الآية ﵖﵑﵜ‬١٦ “O, my beloved son! If there has to be an action equivalent to the weight of a mustard seed (hidden) within a rock or (scattered somewhere) in the heavens or (somewhere) in the earth, Allāh would (locate it and) bring it (for reward or punishment in the ākhirah). Without doubt, Allāh is (the Knower of) the subtle (knows the most intricate, minute and subtle details), Informed (nothing is hidden from Him).” (Luqmān 31:16) Ḥāfiẓ ibn Kathīr () states: .»‫«ِب َذ ِبي ِب أل ََّئ ْم ِل ِفي أل ََّل ْ َئ ِل أَْل َنَِهن ِم‬ (‫) ِيّ َفسيرابن ك َثير‬ “Allāh is even aware of the footsteps of an ant in the darkest night.” (Tafsīr ibn Kathīr) • This example of Luqmān () entails that we too strengthen the relationship our children have with Allāh, instilling in them the sense of self-consciousness or mindfulness of their Creator at all times. • We should provide for them a safe educational environment, whereby they can have a degree of spiritual, psychological, and physical protection, steering them away from all forms of negative behavior, shunning all distrust and suspicion, all in accordance with the words of the Messenger of Allāh () who said: 10

THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com .»‫« َد ْغ َمأ بَ ِري ُنَ َك ِأ َلي َمأ َلا بَ ِري َُن َك‬ (‫)رواه أليرمذي‬ “Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt.” (Tirmidhī) • Many a time idle curiosity and the craving to experience the effects of certain drugs have trapped many of our children in the vicious addictive cycle of substance abuse. • As a way of preventing this, what is more, beautiful than when parents sit with their children in a family atmosphere of love and mutual affection? • The Messenger of Allāh () used to sit with his family and he used both converse and listen to what they had to say. In this regard Ibn ʿAbbās () narrates: .»‫« َرَف ْذ ُت ِفي َب ْي ِب َم ْي ُمُوَب َة َلَ ْئَ َل َة َكا َن أل َّئَ ِن ُّي ﷺَ ِعَ َْئ َذ َ َهأ َف َت َح َّذ َت أل ََّئ ِن ُّي َﷺ َم َع َأ ْهَ ِل ِه َسا َغ ًة‬ (‫)رواه مسلم‬ “I once stayed overnight in the house of my aunt Maymūna. The Messenger of Allāh () talked [i.e., both conversed and listened] with his wife for a [significant] while and then went to bed.” (Muslim) • Parents should thus likewise give their children their time, expressing their love and interest in their affairs, devoting a certain amount of their attention and precious moments to them. • This requires true communication, which entails empathy, the ability to act as their friends, counsel them in their situations, listening to their opinions and concerns as well, collaborating with them, and sharing their hopes before proposing resolutions to their problems. • Engaging youth starts with plugging into their stories and conversations. • Youth need to be approached thoughtfully and intentionally. • Engaging youth positively is critical. • If parents and community leaders wish to help young Muslims make sense of critical issues in light of normative Islamic teachings, they must address everyday realities head-on. • Elders need to encourage youth, especially those who are down or beginners. • Elders need to overlook their faults. • Elders need to assume the sincerity of youngsters and think well of them. • Elders need to gently correct misunderstandings and mistakes that they make. This is why the Prophet () states: .»‫ َ تَو ِش ُروأ َول َإ ُي َنْ ِ َف ُروا‬،‫«تَ ِش ُروأ َول َإ ُيَ َ َع ِش ُروا‬ (‫)مئِّفُق غلبَه‬ “Make things easy [for people] and do not make things difficult [don’t bear down hard on them]. Give glad tidings and do not frighten them [don’t chase people] away.” (Agreed Upon) He also said: 11

THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com .»‫ َأ ْد َح َل َغ ََل ْنِهَ ُم أل ِرْق َق‬،‫«ِأ َدأ َأ َرا َد الَّل ُه َعَ َّر َو َح َّل ِب َأ ْهَ ِل َب ْي ٍب َح ْي ًرا‬ (‫)رواه أخمذ‬ “If Allāh Almighty intends good for a household, he lets gentleness enter their home.” (Aḥmad) • Undeniably it is the affection that brings about connection, instilling mutual understanding and closeness between parents and their children. • This is especially important, because if children do not find in their homes an example that speaks to their minds and a love that draws in their hearts; they tend to turn to their companions and friends. This is why the Prophet () said: .»‫ َف ْلَ َئَ ْبَ ُط ْر َأ َح ُذ ُ َك ْم َم ْن ُيَحأ ِل ُل‬،‫«أل َّر ُح ُل َغلَي ِدب ِن َح َِل َئ ِل ِه‬ (‫)رواه أليرمذي‬ “A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.” (Tirmidhī) • In this ḥadīth there is a call and warning to parents to get to know the friends of their children, to guide them in ensuring that they have the best of companionship, who will take them by their hands towards that which is good and keep them safe from the doors of evil. • Studies have indicated that up to 90% of those addicted to drugs availed them for the first time through an introduction by ‘friends’ of the worst kind. • Third, the most important thing parents can instill in their children is to fashion their characters as people of high aspiration. • This is so they can invest their energies, utilize their time, and develop their skills and talents to the best of their potential. This is why ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb () wrote a letter to the people of Shām telling them: .»‫ « َأ ْن َغ ِل ُمُوأ َأ ْوَلا َد ُ َك ُم أل ِسَ َئَا َح َة َوأل َّرْم َي َوأْلِّ َُف ُرو ِ َش َّ َئ َة‬:‫ َكْ َئَ َب ِأ َلي َأ ْ َه ِل ألسا ِم‬،‫َأ َّن ُع َمَ َربْ َن ا ْلخَُطا ِت‬ (‫)حامع ألإحادئب للسَئُوطي‬ “Teach your children swimming, archery and horse riding.” (Jāmʿi al-Aḥādīth) • Parents should develop the minds of their children with an acquaintance of current, dominant, and valuable competency, and encourage them to take part in fruitful endeavors, useful skills, trades, courses, and engage in voluntary work. It is for this very reason the Prophet () has said: .»‫ َوأ ْ َش َئَ ِ َع ْن ِبالل ِه َوَلا ََي ْعْ َ َحّ ْر‬،‫ َوِفي ُك ٍل َح ْي ٌرا ْح ِر ْص َغلَي َمأ َي ْنْ ََف ُ َع َك‬،‫ َح ْي ٌر َوَأ َح ُّب ِأ َلي الل ِه ِم َن أَْل ُ ُم ْوِم ِن ألصَ ِ َعئِّ ِف‬،‫«أ ْلَ ُمُ ْوِم ُن أّْلِ َفُ ِو ُّي‬ (‫)رواه مسلم‬ “The strong believer is more beloved to Allāh than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be keen on what benefits you, seek help from Allāh, and do not give up.” (Muslim) 12

THE SILENT PLAGUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES: DRUGS www.giftofjumuah.com • Parents should also encourage their children from a young age to take responsibility for themselves, attaching their hearts to the gatherings of the Qur’ān and Sunnah, and instilling in them a discipline that is far from triviality and which gives them a sense of seeking excellence in all that they do. • An attitude like this will ensure that they do not fall prey to the clutches of drugs and their promoters. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib () states: .»‫« َغ ِل ُمُوأ َأ ّْيِ ُفَ َ َس ُكَ ْم َوَأ ْهَ َِلئَ ُكَ ُم ا ْلخَ ْي َر‬ (‫)المسَئَذرك غلي أل َص َّح َئحَّين لل َحّأكم‬ “Teach yourselves and your children the good.” (Mustadrak) • Finally, if we as parents find any of our children displaying any signs of substance abuse; do not delay, there is help, and we can contact and get help from rehabilitation and detoxification programs, specialized doctors, nurses at hospitals and health centers that have been established in the interest of our children’s well-being and welfare. • Take their advice, help, and guidance because this is the step towards the right path and the end of the path of destruction. • Additionally, as a wider society and as a community, it is important for us collectively to facilitate and allow for the integration within our society of its members who may have fallen, but are trying to get up, those who are recovering from addiction, and drugs. • So, we should be embracing them into our collective hands in a spirit of mercy and compassion (not judging them), as this not only encourages them in their recovery but serves as a cause of hope and motivation for others to follow the same course in shā’ Allāh. • With respect to youth in particular, one should avoid tendencies to shame. • A focus on positive engagement is critical to proactive, constructive and strength-based youth development. Abū Qilābah () narrates: ‫َف ُُه َو‬ ‫ َأَلَ ْم َت ُكُوُيَوأ‬،‫« َأ َرَأ ْت ُن ْم َُل ْو َو َح ْذ ُي ُمُوُه ِفي َف ِلَئَ ٍب‬ ‫ا‬:‫َفَ َأأ ََفلَل‬:َ‫واَف‬،‫وََفبأُُهُل‬،‫يَف ََغكاا َُيفَأو ُأ َكتَْمُسَ»ُّ ُئ‬،‫لَوَفا ْْذخ َمَأُذَضوأا ا َللت َه َدأَّْلي ًنَِذا‬،ٍ ‫هل« َلفالَ ايتَض ُر َسَُّئُم َّورأ ََغألَ َيحأَرُ َكُْحم‬:،‫ْرَفَدأاَ ِءل‬،‫بأََي َأعَلْ َّمذ‬:َ ‫ َفَأأ ُلَُّنواَأ‬،»‫َُ َمعَ ْ ْسنَت َْحَّأِِئر ِيح ِفئَلَِها َ؟ب َة‬ ‫ َف ِأ َدأ بَ َرَك ُه‬،‫ «ِأ َّي ََمأ ُأ َْي ِعْ ُص َع َم َل ُه‬:‫ َفأ َل‬،‫ُي ْنْ ِعْ ُص ُه؟‬ .»‫أ ِخي‬ (‫)شَ َعب ألإيمان‬ “That Abū al-Dardā’ () once passed by a man who had committed a sin and the people were cursing him. So, he said: ‘Tell me, if you were you to find him in a deep well wouldn’t you bring him out?’ When they replied in the affirmative, he said: ‘Then do not curse your brother and praise Allāh who protected you [from this sin].’ They asked, ‘Don’t you hate him?’ He replied: ‘I only hate his wrongdoing, but when he abandons it then he is my brother.’” (Shuʿab al-Īmān) • Shame regarding addictive behaviors prevents recovery and increases the chances of re-engaging in addictive and shame-inducing behaviors. 13