Last week, two friends who’d come over to smoke hash narrated a hilarious and unbelievable incident to me. We were discussing the effect hallucinogens might have on the deeply religious. We were talking about visions people have at the time of their death, and the topic shifted to how narcotic substances might alter one’s perception of god, religion, spirituality and the universe.
Deftly rolling joints, these guys told me about a young Muslim man who had dedicated his life to Islam. A non-drinker of course, the god-fearing young man liked smoking hashish every day.
It so happened that the group of people he used to get high with decided to play a prank on him. One afternoon, when he was very stoned, they offered him fruit juice spiked with LSD. Now this dude was really baked and obviously had no idea what he was in for – he readily accepted the fresh, chilled juice and sipped on it to soothe his parched throat, dehydrated by the charas.
In some time, his eyes widened as if he were deranged, and he leapt up and announced, “Bhai, Allah dikh rela hai, bhai!”
Someone else present at the scene ordered him to stop talking nonsense and asked him if he had lost his mind… no one had seen Allah, so how could he?
But this enlightened fellow was in no mood to listen to anyone else – the chap called his wife up and repeated the same thing – that he had seen Allah, was probably dead and on his way to jannat. Naturally, the poor woman started freaking, but he told her he loved her and their kid and then he just hung up. Maybe, he wanted to get right back to enjoying the hallucinations, still not realizing it was the acid doing that to his brain.
Anyway, this is a very funny and strange story, and I thought I’d share it with you.
I have a lot of Muslim friends who offer me homemade non-vegetarian delicacies on Islamic festivals and other special occasions – I love them and respect their faith, so no need to get offended.
Not like I offered anyone a Breezer or something. Geez.
[Published earlier on Blish and my blogspot]
Mehta Kya Kehta? 