What is the ruling on the patch applied to the body that provides the body's need for nicotine so that one stops smoking? Does it break the fast?
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The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : Regarding the topic of smoking: A medical patch is sold in some pharmacies that is applied to the body, providing the body's need for nicotine for up to twenty-four hours as steps to quit smoking. The question is: If it is applied at night for twenty-four hours and another one is applied, does the person break his fast in Ramadan when using it?
The Shaykh : It does not break the fast in Ramadan. He may use it. In fact, it may become obligatory for him to use it if this is a means to stop using tobacco. There is no harm in a person leaving a forbidden thing gradually, because when Allah the Exalted intended to prohibit intoxicants, He did not prohibit them absolutely all at once. Rather, He made it in stages: He first permitted it, then prohibited it at certain times, then clarified that its harm is greater, then prohibited it at certain times, and then prohibited it absolutely. So the stages are four. He permitted it in His saying:[An-Nahl 16:67]. This is in the context of bestowing favor, so it is lawful. He hinted at its prohibition in His saying: [Al-Baqarah 2:219]. He prohibited it at certain times: [An-Nisa 4:43]. This implies that we should leave it during prayer. He prohibited it absolutely in His saying: [Al-Ma'idah 5:90]. For this reason, the prohibition of intoxicants was revealed while the Companions' vessels were full of intoxicants, until they went out with them to the markets and poured them out in the markets.
And glory to Allah! What is the difference between us and them? The difference between us and them in obedience is like the difference between our time and their time. They did not hesitate; they did not say, "We will drink what remains in the vessels." Never. Cups were passed among them, and they went out and poured them out in the markets. They abstained completely. And they did not say, "This has taken milk, and it has taken our custom, and the like of that." No, they left it entirely, because they had in their resolve what made hardships easy for them. Yes.
The questioner : The questioner says, "Your Eminence, the Shaykh."
The Shaykh : 'Abd al-Rahman indicates that the time is up.
The Shaykh : It does not break the fast in Ramadan. He may use it. In fact, it may become obligatory for him to use it if this is a means to stop using tobacco. There is no harm in a person leaving a forbidden thing gradually, because when Allah the Exalted intended to prohibit intoxicants, He did not prohibit them absolutely all at once. Rather, He made it in stages: He first permitted it, then prohibited it at certain times, then clarified that its harm is greater, then prohibited it at certain times, and then prohibited it absolutely. So the stages are four. He permitted it in His saying:
And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines you take intoxicant and good provision
وَمِنْ ثَمَرَاتِ النَّخِيلِ وَالْأَعْنَابِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًاThey ask you about wine and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit."
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَاO you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنْتُمْ سُكَارَىO you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنْصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُAnd glory to Allah! What is the difference between us and them? The difference between us and them in obedience is like the difference between our time and their time. They did not hesitate; they did not say, "We will drink what remains in the vessels." Never. Cups were passed among them, and they went out and poured them out in the markets. They abstained completely. And they did not say, "This has taken milk, and it has taken our custom, and the like of that." No, they left it entirely, because they had in their resolve what made hardships easy for them. Yes.
The questioner : The questioner says, "Your Eminence, the Shaykh."
The Shaykh : 'Abd al-Rahman indicates that the time is up.