Is smoking among the disliked things, or is it among the forbidden things, or is it neither forbidden nor disliked? I do not smoke, praise be to Allah, and this is only to guide smokers.
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The questioner : Is smoking among the disliked things, or is it among the forbidden things, or is it neither forbidden nor disliked? I do not smoke, praise be to Allah, and this is only to guide smokers and out of concern for the wealth and souls of Muslims.
The Shaykh : Smoking, which is inhaling smoke, was a matter of disagreement among scholars when it first appeared. The default ruling for foods, drinks, and clothing is that they are lawful, except for what evidence proves to be forbidden. So the scholars differed on it. However, after it became clearly and undeniably apparent that it is a harmful drink, it became clear that it is forbidden for several reasons:
First: It is harmful to the body. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nisa 4:29] And He said: [Al-Baqarah 2:195] And He said: [Al-A'raf 7:31] And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan Ibn Majah 2340Da'if (Darussalam).
The second reason: It involves wasting money without benefit, and indeed with harm. Wasting money in this way is foolishness that contradicts sound judgment. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, said:[An-Nisa 4:5] So Allah the Exalted forbade us from giving our wealth to the foolish, because they will waste it and spend it on things of no benefit. He explained the wisdom behind this, or indicated the wisdom, which is that Allah the Exalted made these wealths a means of sustenance for people, by which the interests of their religion and worldly affairs are established. And He said: [An-Nisa 4:6] So Allah the Exalted made it a condition for allowing an orphan to take possession of his wealth that we perceive soundness in him, which is good management, such that he does not spend his wealth on what is forbidden or on things of no benefit. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he forbade the wasting of wealth.
The third reason: Inhaling smoke affects the face, teeth, gums, and tongue of the smoker, especially one who smokes a lot. It becomes apparent on him in a way that is hardly hidden from anyone but a few people. A person should not consume what is harmful, even if it is only to a part of his body.
The fourth reason: It has a foul smell that harms many people who do not smoke it. Whatever harms a Muslim, one should avoid it.
The fifth reason: If the smoker delays his smoke, his chest becomes tight and his spirit is affected, and indeed the world becomes narrow for him. One should avoid what leads to this, for a person should have an open chest and a calm spirit. For this reason, it is recommended for a person to bring joy to his brothers as much as he can. In fact, some people who do not get to smoke at the times they want to smoke leave off some important matters in their religious and worldly affairs because their spirits become tight.
The sixth reason: It may lead to stealing money if a person does not have the money to buy this smoke, because this smoke holds its owner by the reins and does not let him go until it is reported about some people that they may permit their honor and dignity to be violated in order to get to smoke this smoke.
The seventh reason: It is not hidden from anyone that the smoker finds fasting, which is one of the greatest acts of worship, burdensome. Indeed, fasting Ramadan is a pillar of Islam. You will find that smokers’ chests become tight with this obligation and they find it heavy. And when the time for breaking the fast comes, the most important thing he finds in himself is to consume this drink.
By these reasons and others that do not come to my mind now, it becomes clear that smoking is forbidden and that it is not permissible for a sane person, let alone a believer, to consume it. But tell me, what is the way to get rid of it, because that is the important thing. Many people know its harm and wish with all their hearts to be rid of it, but they seek the way to get rid of it. The answer to that is:
First: Humble oneself before Allah, Mighty and Majestic, such that a person prioritizes the pleasure of his Lord over the desires of his soul. If a person believes that it is forbidden and that it is a disobedience to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and to His Messenger, then a true believer does not allow himself to persist in it despite the prohibition.
Second: Know the financial, physical, social, and religious harms that result from it. If he knows that, then the necessity of this knowledge requires that he quit it.
Third: Keep away from sitting with those who are afflicted with smoking as much as he can, so that his soul does not overcome him in imitating them and agreeing with them.
Fourth: Train himself to give it up little by little, for with this training and practice, it will be easy for him to leave it.
Fifth: Consume what can alleviate the burden of giving up this smoking, and that is by consulting medical experts so that he can be rid of this smoking. And all of this is after sincere determination and strong desire to leave it. I have learned from what has happened with some people that with sincere determination, it becomes very easy for them to give up smoking.
The Shaykh : Smoking, which is inhaling smoke, was a matter of disagreement among scholars when it first appeared. The default ruling for foods, drinks, and clothing is that they are lawful, except for what evidence proves to be forbidden. So the scholars differed on it. However, after it became clearly and undeniably apparent that it is a harmful drink, it became clear that it is forbidden for several reasons:
First: It is harmful to the body. Allah the Exalted said:
And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.
ولا تقتلوا أنفسكم إن الله كان بكم رحيماًand do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]
ولا تلقوا بأيديكم إلى التهلكةand eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.
وكلوا واشربوا ولا تسرفوا إنه لا يحب المسرفينIt was narrated from 'Ubadah bin Samit that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ruled: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.”
لا ضرر ولا ضرارThe second reason: It involves wasting money without benefit, and indeed with harm. Wasting money in this way is foolishness that contradicts sound judgment. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, said:
And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you
ولا تؤتوا السفهاء أموالكم التي جعل الله لكم قياماًAnd test the orphans [in their abilities] until they reach marriageable age. Then if you perceive in them sound judgement, release their property to them.
وابتلوا اليتامى حتى إذا بلغوا النكاح فإن آنستم منهم رشداً فادفعوا إليهم أموالهمThe third reason: Inhaling smoke affects the face, teeth, gums, and tongue of the smoker, especially one who smokes a lot. It becomes apparent on him in a way that is hardly hidden from anyone but a few people. A person should not consume what is harmful, even if it is only to a part of his body.
The fourth reason: It has a foul smell that harms many people who do not smoke it. Whatever harms a Muslim, one should avoid it.
The fifth reason: If the smoker delays his smoke, his chest becomes tight and his spirit is affected, and indeed the world becomes narrow for him. One should avoid what leads to this, for a person should have an open chest and a calm spirit. For this reason, it is recommended for a person to bring joy to his brothers as much as he can. In fact, some people who do not get to smoke at the times they want to smoke leave off some important matters in their religious and worldly affairs because their spirits become tight.
The sixth reason: It may lead to stealing money if a person does not have the money to buy this smoke, because this smoke holds its owner by the reins and does not let him go until it is reported about some people that they may permit their honor and dignity to be violated in order to get to smoke this smoke.
The seventh reason: It is not hidden from anyone that the smoker finds fasting, which is one of the greatest acts of worship, burdensome. Indeed, fasting Ramadan is a pillar of Islam. You will find that smokers’ chests become tight with this obligation and they find it heavy. And when the time for breaking the fast comes, the most important thing he finds in himself is to consume this drink.
By these reasons and others that do not come to my mind now, it becomes clear that smoking is forbidden and that it is not permissible for a sane person, let alone a believer, to consume it. But tell me, what is the way to get rid of it, because that is the important thing. Many people know its harm and wish with all their hearts to be rid of it, but they seek the way to get rid of it. The answer to that is:
First: Humble oneself before Allah, Mighty and Majestic, such that a person prioritizes the pleasure of his Lord over the desires of his soul. If a person believes that it is forbidden and that it is a disobedience to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and to His Messenger, then a true believer does not allow himself to persist in it despite the prohibition.
Second: Know the financial, physical, social, and religious harms that result from it. If he knows that, then the necessity of this knowledge requires that he quit it.
Third: Keep away from sitting with those who are afflicted with smoking as much as he can, so that his soul does not overcome him in imitating them and agreeing with them.
Fourth: Train himself to give it up little by little, for with this training and practice, it will be easy for him to leave it.
Fifth: Consume what can alleviate the burden of giving up this smoking, and that is by consulting medical experts so that he can be rid of this smoking. And all of this is after sincere determination and strong desire to leave it. I have learned from what has happened with some people that with sincere determination, it becomes very easy for them to give up smoking.