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Shaikh Haytham Tamim

& a Muslim psychoanalyst

Addictions

Frequently Asked Questions on Drug Abuse

- I still feel strong cravings - how do you suggest I control these?
- Advice for the family and friends of an addict.
- What are the first steps in overcoming an addiction?
- My friend is a drug addict..what can I do?
- Can I take drugs to improve exam performance?

Questions answered by counsellors from NAFAS: part of the Bangladeshi Drugs Project, East London.

Q:I have recently quit an addiction, however I still feel strong cravings - how do you suggest I control these?

A:For an addict drugs become a part of their body and part of their system- it is difficult to adjust to another state. Psychologically, an individual who has just quit is still thinking about and craving this drug. These cravings are taken away by filling the void. What is necessary is to tune the mind into thinking about what is other than the drug. e.g. thinking of Allah(swt) because ultimately it is Allah(swt) who is going to help them.

The first priority then is the remembrance of Allah(swt); this blocks out thinking about the drug or the drug calling you. After that there are various therapies that can be undertaken to aid detoxification such as:

Acupuncture
Salt Baths - Salt helps take toxins out of the body
Shiastu massage
Keeping good company who help keep your mind off drugs and avoiding the company of drug users and/or sympathisers
Keeping Wudu
Exercise/ Weightraining
Sauna
Other complimentary therapies

The common factor you find talking to users is that they are lost -and that they are looking to quit but the shaytan is averting them otherwise. Allah (swt) says in the Quran "Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain? " Al-Ma'idah 5:91 .

The basis of remembrance of Allah (swt) is praying the Salat -the obligation that Allah (swt) has placed on you. Sometimes people don't even want to deal with this since they first want to deal with the family problems that the addiction has caused . It's low on their heirachy of things to do.

Q: What general advice would you give to the family and friends of an addict ?

A: Family therapy is important. Often, in rehabilitation, the parents and siblings of a user need counselling as much as the addict him or herself. There are general principles such as:

Listening


Opening lines of communication

Parents with suspicions often don't want to accuse their children of taking drugs- one way of approaching the subject it is to ask them subtle questions - about their health or their appearance rather than coming out with accusations.

Parents should show that they are neither scared of, nor disappointed in their child- rather they are disappointed that he or she hasn't come to them for help or sort refuge from their problem in their deen.

Parents should show to their children that love is unconditional but trust is not.

Often parents need to be more understanding ; they do not realise the will power it takes to end an addiction; an individual may wish to stop but the drug is calling to them - the parent just feels that they continue because they want to or they like it.

While there are general principles there's not really a general approach; the best response varies from individual to individual. There are different approaches depending on the person; some would say that tough love is the way - but for another type of person this won't work- you need to alternate between various approaches at different stages of a person's addiction.

Generally, the approach has to be one of listening and understanding not of condemnation - the "Oh this is Haram you are going to hell"- type attitude- After all, if Allah (swt) can forgive a person who are we not to ? - however sometimes users can become abusive to their families and often parents reach breaking point and throw them out of the house. This is often a catalyst; the user thinks well now I've reached rock bottom; even my family has forsaken me - I need to change - but for some it may make them worse.

Preventative measures

To those parents who want to minimise the risks of drug misuse by their child the best thing to do is teach them about Islam, inculcate in them a strong sense of right and wrong, do their utmost to create a drugs- free environment and help them keep good company.

Friends

For friends, I would say be gentle with them, take them by the hand take them to the side offer sincere advice - remember you're dealing with someone who is you brother/sister in Islam. In the Quran, Allah (swt) instructed Musa (as) to go to the Firawn (Pharaoh) and "speak to him mildly"TaHa 20:44. This is with one of the great enemies of Islam; how then should one be toward their fellow Muslim?

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Q:What are the first steps in overcoming an addiction ?

A: To admit you have a problem; the onus has to be on the user to want to change. Rather than not thinking about your problem the best thing to do is think about it and how you will deal with.

Recognition of who you are and of your deen. Some might say.. where is you proof that this works?  The proof is it worked in Medina 1400 years ago and it is still working for millions of individuals and numerous communities throughout the world.So it does work if people want to access that model; by their affinity to Islam they already have access to its teachings.

Recognise that you're a human being and a Muslim- We try to complement the existing treatment approach which really deals with the physical aspects of the addiction by also offering a chance to look at the spirit or the inner self from whichactions usually emanate from.

Seek Forgiveness; Remember, no matter how bad you may have been there is always hope up until the day you die. Tawba is very important. Stay up in the middle of night and asks your Lord for forgiveness. When we are ill we go to the doctor and say, "help me help me I'm ill" - yet he is only a means to cure you. Similarly organisations such as NAFAS only exist as an aid to curing. Go to the source.

Some people have come off drugs without seeking professional help - relying solely on Allah(swt) is what has sustained them. This won't work for everyone because it needs a certain level of determination,trust and perseverance. Some people need to access a counsellor or other treatment services, but this does not negate trust in Allah as both trust and seeking a means are needed.

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Q: My friend is a drug addict and despite my persistent advice refuses to give up. His family is unaware of the situation - should I tell them?

A: Try to advise and help. My understanding is you make excuses for your brother and cover up his sins, so maybe Allah will cover yours on Yawm al-Qiyamah. If it's not affecting others you should keep quiet.

What about when it starts affecting others? If the person concerned is sincere about changing and giving up his habit you should give him the benefit of the doubt. If he however does not want to give up then you should inform the individual that you are going to inform his family ; you have to speak out against the munkar. Talk to the user nicely but if they refuse you should speak out. However I would seek advice from a scholar before you do this.

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Q: Is it allowed to take drugs to improve your performances in exams, etc

A: Ultimately you are cheating. The question a person must ask themselves is this: Do I have so little confidence in myself that I need something external to help me ?. Ultimately though no matter how hard you study its all up to Allah if you pass or fail. Not in the sense that you shouldn't study; but what is written for you is written for you.

It is also important that parents shouldn't put too much pressure on their children. Love should not based on how people are doing in school. Parents don't put enough store on how a child is doing in other areas, such as studying of Islam. For instance they may say "O my daughters got an "A" in Science and Maths,but she can't read the Quran yet, but that's OK. "

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Support Organisations

NAFAS
Mon-Fri 10am -5pm
0171 423 9351
Shafi@Nafas.fsnet.co.uk

Preston Muslim Forum
Every Thursday 1.30-4pm
17 Holmrock Road
Preston PR1
01772 889 000

Network Drugs Advice project
Contact Abdul-Rahman
Provide help , support and advice for drug users and their families.
2nd Floor
Abbey House
361 Barking Road
London E13
0171 474 2222
Fax: 0171 473 5399

Muslim Welfare House- Sheffield
Contact: AbdulKadir Gooljar
10-12 Severn Road
Broomhill
Sheffield S10
0114 267 1969

FAQ on Gambling

Questions put to the late Shaikh S M Darsh and his answers. (Acknowledgement to Ta-Ha Publications Ltd)

Q: Does Islam permit participation in television-style game shows, lotteries and prize draws particularly where a person may win a lot of money or prizes without having spent any money or done much work?

A: Islam may allow participation in game shows, but not in lotteries or, indeed, in prize draws, both of which are akin to gambling. A participant in a game show or quiz event wins money or prizes by exercising his or her intellectual ability; winning a lottery, on the other, hand, depends entirely on luck which is gambling. Surah 5, Surat’ul -Ma ‘idah, verses 90-91, of the Qur’an state clearly the Islamic position on gambling: ‘Oh you who believe, surely intoxicants, and gambling, and idols, and fortune-telling are an abomination of shaytan’s handiwork so avoid it so that you may be successful. Shaytan only wishes to excite enmity and hatred between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to turn you away from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer - will you not then abstain?’

Internet Links and Other Resources

Questions answered by Dr Muzammil Siddiqui:

Gambling practices
www.islamicity.org/dialogue/Q233.HTM

Putting money in slot machines
www.pakistanlink.com/religion/99/08-27.html

Types of lotteries
www.pakistanlink.com/religion/99/08-13.html

Is it allowed for a Muslim to buy lottery tickets if the proceeds fund good causes?
www.pakistanlink.com/religion/97/re11-14-97.html

Are arcade games considered to be a form of gambling,
www.pakistanlink.com/religion/97/re10-10-97.html

Issues on Sweepstakes
www.pakistanlink.com/religion/99/05-14.html

 

Support Organisations
Free phone Asian Quitline
Urdu
0800 002288
Punjabi
0800 002277