The Use Of Cannabis For Medical Treatment In Malaysia: An Analytical Study From The Fiqh Al-Muwazanat Perspective

Muhammad Najib Abdullah; Intan Nadiah  Mahraji

Authors

Muhammad Najib Abdullah Senior Lecturer https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1271-2702
Intan Nadiah Mahraji Postgraduate Student

Keywords:

Cannabis, Fiqh al-Muwazanat, Maqasid Shariah, Maslahah, Mafsadah

Abstract

The ongoing debate surrounding the acceptability of utilising cannabis for medical treatment remains a prominent issue. The case of Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman in 2022 became the top discussion of the whole country because he was reported of planting 17 cannabis plants to treat his bipolar disorder. Many studies show the benefits of the chemical compositions of cannabis which are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) in medical treatment. More than 70 countries have recognized the use of cannabis for medical purposes. However, the law in Malaysia is still maintaining its status quo by imposing legal action on individuals who possess and distribute cannabis. This issue has caused the government to be urged to immediately allow the use of cannabis in Malaysia. This research is a qualitative study by using the data collection method and analysis of the previous written sources. Hence, this study aims to analyze the use of cannabis in medical treatment from the perspective of Fiqh al-Muwazanat. The consideration between two contradictory matters should be done to achieve the principle of maqasid sharia. The data collected was obtained from books, journal articles, official websites of the authorities, and case studies. The results of the study have shown that the use of cannabis for medical treatment in Malaysia is considered to be allowed due to the mafsadah is greater than the maslahah. This is because there is an exceptional situation where the other medicine may not be available to preserve the life of a patient, thus the necessity for the cannabis to treat the patient shall be prevailed and this is in accordance with maqasid sharia.

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Author Biographies

Muhammad Najib Abdullah, Senior Lecturer

Faculty Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

Intan Nadiah Mahraji, Postgraduate Student

Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

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