What is the ruling on a man in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) whom Allah has afflicted with the habit of smoking? He smokes during the time of 'Isha' (the night prayer) while in his i'tikaf, and likewise during the time of suhur (the pre-dawn meal) and at other times, such as when he goes out.

The questioner : What is the ruling on a man in i'tikaf whom Allah has afflicted with the habit of smoking? He smokes during the time of 'Isha' while in his i'tikaf, and likewise during the time of suhur and at other times, such as when he goes out to the restrooms. What do you advise him to do?

The Shaykh : Does he smoke inside the mosque?
The student: If he goes out.

The Shaykh : No, no, at the time of suhur and at the time of iftar (breaking the fast).
We ask Allah to cure him of what He has afflicted him with, and not to afflict us with the like of it.
When smoking first appeared, the scholars differed on it, as is the case with other newly emerged matters where disagreement occurs, until the matter settles on what is correct.
Some scholars said: Smoking is permissible, and there is no harm in it.
Some of them said: It is disliked.
Others said: It is forbidden.
But the matter has settled on it being forbidden, or the opinion of the majority of scholars has settled on its prohibition, because it has now become clear through decisive evidence that it is harmful to the body, and whatever is harmful is forbidden, by the saying of Allah the Exalted: , and His saying the Exalted: .
And in the hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): .
And in it is also the squandering of money without benefit, and Allah the Exalted said: , because they corrupt it.
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And on this basis, we advise our brother to quit smoking, not in the mosque and not elsewhere.