What is the ruling on consuming qat?

Question:
Another person asks about qat: is it forbidden or not? Is it the kind taken in Yemen or otherwise?

Answer:
The scholars of Yemen differ regarding qat. Some of them have forbidden it, stating that it contains harm and impurity, and that it prevents them from prayer and their work. They also mention that it has many harms. Other scholars of Yemen have different views, defending it and claiming that it is not forbidden. The correct position, as we have known from the scholars of thorough research, and as we have known from those who consume it, is that it is wrong, that it is not permissible, and that it is forbidden because of the great harm in it and the way it keeps people from their duties when they consume it. When they store it, they are kept from their duties for a long time, and they may even combine two prayers because of it. It has harms, as our brothers among the scholars of Yemen and others who have consumed it have mentioned; it has many harms. Sometimes it causes sleepiness, and sometimes it alters the mind. Therefore, the correct opinion is that of those who said it is forbidden. My advice to my Yemeni brothers is to beware of it, to fear Allah in this matter, and to fight against its cultivation and consumption. This is my advice to them. We have written about this on some occasions.