Is qat among the forbidden things, given that some of our scholars consume it?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner has persisted in his question, saying: We in Yemen consume qat in our afternoon gatherings. Is this qat among the forbidden things, or is it not forbidden? We are confused about this issue, and a large number of scholars in Yemen consume it. So please advise us, may Allah reward you.

Answer:
My brother, the scholars have issued many fatwas on this matter, and they are available. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him) issued a fatwa on it, which is now printed. Shaykh Ibn Baz issued a fatwa on it. The sheikhs issued a fatwa on it, and decisions have been issued by fiqh academies. It is stronger than tobacco; it is stronger than tobacco, because it is an intoxicant, and because they sit and consume it in what they call "takhzin" (chewing), and a long time passes for them during which they do not pray due to this takhzin. So it is among the forbidden things without doubt, and our scholars have issued fatwas forbidding it. The one who says it is permissible has no evidence for that.
How can it be permissible when its effects are bad and its consequences are ugly, and it is an intoxicant? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade every intoxicant and every intoxicating substance. Among the scholars of Yemen who issued a fatwa on this is Shaykh Hafiz (may Allah have mercy on him), Shaykh Hafiz al-Hakami. He has a poem in response to those who permitted qat. Yes.