What is the ruling on selling and buying qat, given that there is disagreement among the scholars?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Regarding the qat plant, it is said that there is disagreement among some scholars concerning its sale and purchase. What is the ruling on that?

Answer:
What is the point of the disagreement? The point is the evidence. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the sale of foul things and the sale of harmful things. This is all present in qat, for it is harmful, foul, and intoxicating. He forbade every intoxicant and every intoxicating substance, and qat is intoxicating. Therefore, they store it and sit for a long time without praying, until the prayers pass them by and they do not pray because it is stored. He says it is stored, so it is foul. Qat is not permissible. Qat is worse than tobacco. Qat is worse than tobacco. Yes. There is no regard for those who disagree on this among those who grow qat. They disagree on its sale and say it is lawful. One may be a student of knowledge, but there is no regard for him.