Is It Permissible to Inhale Laughing Gas?
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Question
Is it permissible to inhale laughing gas?
Answer
In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, his Family, his Companions, and those who follow him.
This question involves both medical and legal aspects. Jurists consider doctors’ opinions when issuing legal rulings, and each case has its own ruling.
After researching and inquiring about laughing gas, I learned that it is medically known as nitrous oxide. Its use is limited in the medical field, as it is considered a short-term local anesthetic and is mostly used in dental clinics.
Based on the Above Description
Laughing gas is considered an anesthetic gas, and it is forbidden to use it outside of medical necessity, just like other anesthetics used to alleviate pain during surgical procedures.
This gas and similar medical substances are supposed to be available only in hospitals and dispensed within a narrow scope with a medical prescription. However, if it becomes widespread and out of control, Muslims must be cautious about using it. They should also educate and warn the youth about its dangers, as it falls under the category of intoxicants and drugs, which are prohibited for Muslims.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, a small quantity of it is also forbidden.” [Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi; Nasa’i; Ibn Maja; Ahmad]
We ask Allah (Most High) to protect us, our children, and the youth of Muslims from these dangerous matters that some people may take lightly, leading them to fall into what is forbidden and to be ensnared by the traps of those who spread corruption on earth. Allah is the One who grants success and guides to the straight path.
[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Dr Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib is a prominent Islamic scholar from Yemen born in Shibam, Hadhramaut, in 1976. He received his degree in Shari‘a from Al-Ahqaf University, a master’s degree from the Islamic University of Beirut, and a PhD in Usul al-Din from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
He studied under great scholars such as Shaykh al-Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad, Shaykh Fadl Ba‘ fadl, Habib Salim al-Shatiri, Habib Ali Mashhur bin Hafeez, and others. He has served as the Director of Publications at Dar al-Fiqh, the former Deputy Director of Cultural Relations at Al-Ahqaf University, a former Assistant for Employee Affairs at Atiyah Iron Company, a researcher at the Sunna Center affiliated with the Dallah al-Baraka Foundation, and a researcher at Al-Furqan Foundation’s Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara Encyclopedia branch.
Currently, he is a researcher at Al-Furqan Foundation’s Makka al-Mukarrama and Madina al-Munawwara Encyclopedia branch, teaches traditionally through the Ijaza system at Dar al-Fuqaha in Turkey, supervises the Arabic department at Nur al-Huda International Institute (SeekersGuidance), and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Manuscript House in Istanbul.
His works include “The Efforts of Hadhramaut Jurists in Serving the Shafi‘i School,” “Contributions of Hadhramaut Scholars in Spreading Islam and its Sciences in India,” “Hada’iq al-Na‘im in Shafi‘i Fiqh,” in addition to verifying several books in Fiqh, history, the art of biographies, and Asanid (chains of narration).
