1. Islamic Position on Gandia / Cannabis
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Basis in the Quran:The Quran prohibits intoxicants (Arabic: Khamr), which broadly includes substances that impair the mind.
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Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219):
“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”Although this verse specifically mentions wine and gambling, Islamic jurisprudence extends the prohibition to all intoxicants.
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Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90):
“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.”
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Hadith:The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"Every intoxicant is Khamr, and every Khamr is unlawful." (Sahih Muslim)
Because cannabis has intoxicating properties similar to alcohol, the majority of scholars, including Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools, rule it as forbidden.
“Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is unlawful.”
— [Sahih Muslim, Book 23, Hadith 4966]
This Hadith establishes the prohibition of all intoxicating substances.-
“Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, a small quantity of it is also forbidden.”
— [Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 3674]
This principle is applied to cannabis because it causes intoxication. -
“Allah has cursed khamr (wine/intoxicants), the one who drinks it, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one who squeezes (the grapes, or fruits for wine), the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who carries it, and the one to whom it is carried.”
— [Sahih Muslim]
This Hadith indicates the wide scope of prohibition around intoxicants.
2. Islamic View on Hemp (Industrial hemp) for Horses
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Industrial hemp is a variety of the Cannabis plant with very low THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound responsible for intoxication.
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Using hemp as a feed or medicine for animals like horses is generally permissible if it does not cause intoxication or harm. The principle in Islam for using animals and substances is no harm and no intoxication.
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There is no direct reference in classical Islamic texts about hemp for horses, but Islamic jurisprudence allows for the use of plants or products that do not intoxicate or cause harm.
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General Principle:
“Do not cause harm or reciprocate harm.” (Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah)
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Animal welfare:Islam emphasizes kindness to animals and allows their treatment with beneficial medicine or feed.
3. Islamic Position on Cannabis for Medical Use
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Some scholars permit the medical use of cannabis if prescribed by a qualified doctor, and no halal alternatives are available, under strict conditions of necessity (darura).
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Necessity (darura) can make forbidden things permissible in limited circumstances:
“Necessities permit the prohibited.” (Hadith)
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However, recreational use remains forbidden.
4. Summary
| Substance/Use | Islamic Position | Notes/References |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabis (Gandia) recreational use | Haram (forbidden) | Due to intoxicating effect (Quran 5:90, Hadith) |
| Industrial hemp for horses (non-intoxicating) | DDA | No intoxication, no harm; animal welfare principle |
| Cannabis for medical use | DDA | Only if prescribed, no alternatives, under necessity |
Indian hemp is listed in Schedule I of the Act, along with other controlled substances, making it illegal to import, possess, cultivate, or distribute
Dangerous Drugs Act Act 41 of 2000 Cannabis (also named as Gandia or Indian Hemp)
