The Taliban justified the opium trade by noting that Muslims didn’t use the stuff, only unbelievers; I discuss that in Islam Unveiled. Other scholars have said that such trade is prohibited in Islam. Mufti Munir Shakir, in contrast, seems to be saying that it has beneficial uses.
That, of course, plays into the hands of the Taliban and others who continue to attempt to victimize, and profit from, unbelievers in this way. It’s no wonder, seeing the money that comes from drugs, that jihadists look upon the West with contempt. From the Daily Times of Pakistan, with thanks to EPG:
BARA: Mufti Munir Shakir, a renowned religious scholar, has declared the trade of opium “halal,” legitimate, in the light of Islamic teachings during his routine sermon on an unlicensed FM radio station operating in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency the other day….
Munir Shakir declared the cultivation and trade of opium legitimate on the grounds that it was mostly used in about 98 percent medication. He said the use of anything that had the potential of having a positive impact and benifit on human beings could not be declared illegitimate and prohibited in Islam.