Wants to become Muslim but lives in drug country

Dear Sir,
For a muslim, is it allowed to use drugs like cocaine .
Here in Columbia 70 % of the people use it .
When I want to become a muslim, must I stop it ?
I am waiting for your answer.





Praise be to Allaah.It is a great thing to learn that you are thinking of embracing Islam, although you live in a country where drugs are rife and are not following any religion at present. We were amazed and impressed to know that a man living in such circumstances has reached the point where he wants to become Muslim, but Allaah is able to do all things, and He guides whom He wills to the Straight Path. Perhaps the Divine care has been preparing you to embrace the true religion in spite of the intense darkness, kufr (disbelief) and drug-ridden atmosphere that surround you. The unbelieving man is dead at heart even though his body is alive, but when Allaah guides him to the light of Islam, his heart awakens and he sees a whole new meaning to life as he starts to follow the guidance of his Lord. Allaah says in His Holy Book (interpretation of the meaning): “Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and faith) and set for him a Light (belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out?…” [al-An’aam 6:122]. So come to true life, and follow the Light which Allaah has revealed, and you will find that which will delight you and bring you peace of mind, when you worship Allaah.As regards the issue of drugs, no doubt you would expect this great religion to forbid everything that is harmful and to permit everything that is beneficial, and not to allow man to lose his mind and go crazy, doing all kinds of foolish things without any awareness and destroying his body. This is what happens when people take drugs and prevent themselves from thinking about or worshipping Allaah. This poison opens the door to hostile aggression, and destroys religion, lives, minds, honour and wealth. And so no wise person can doubt that drugs are totally forbidden.We fully understand that addiction is no straightforward matter and that recovery is no simple process, but this should not prevent you from entering Islam and embracing the way of truth with which Allaah has sent His Prophet Muhammad http://www.islamqa.com/images/saws.gif (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Rest assured that when you embrace Islam, this will give you strength and will-power to overcome this addiction and rid yourself of this disease and sin. All of this may take some time, but this should not make you hesitate to embrace Islam. Become Muslim and you will be safe from the problems of this world and the punishment of the Hereafter. We are prepared to stand by you and help you with any difficulty that you may face. We thank you for your question and ask Allaah to guide you soon. Peace be upon those who follow the truth.