and “the Book” is the Quran, while “the Balance” is justice. Sound analogical reasoning is a form of justice, for it does not distinguish between equivalent things, but treats them equally. Thus, when wrongful acts share the characteristic that necessitates prohibition, one is not singled out as forbidden while another is not. Rather, justice requires that they be treated equally. Treating them differently would be contradictory, and the judgment of Allah and His Messenger is free from contradiction. If a physician prohibited a patient from consuming something because of its harmful effects, yet also permitted it to him, he would depart from the principles of medicine. The revealed Law is medicine for hearts, and the prophets are physicians of hearts and religions. Whenever the revealed Law permits something of this kind, there must be a distinguishing feature separating the two, such that what it prohibits has a characteristic not shared by what it permits. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked:

What punishment is prescribed for someone who consumes hashish?

He replied:

Praise be to Allah. This solid hashish is forbidden, whether or not a person becomes intoxicated by it. Becoming intoxicated by it is forbidden by agreement of the Muslims. Whoever deems that lawful and claims that it is permissible is to be called upon to repent; failing repentance, he is to be executed as an apostate. No funeral prayer is to be offered for him, nor is he to be buried in Muslim cemeteries.

As for someone who believes this to be a means of drawing near to Allah and says:

“It is the little morsel of remembrance and reflection; it stirs dormant resolve toward the noblest places and is beneficial in