What is the ruling on one who smokes while knowing that smoking is forbidden?

The questioner : What is the ruling on one who smokes while knowing that smoking is forbidden?

The Shaykh : It is like one who drinks intoxicants while knowing that drinking intoxicants is forbidden. I mean, this is a strange question. You say he knows that smoking is forbidden, yet he smokes. Is that not your question?

The questioner : No, that is my question.

The Shaykh : Well, what is the ruling on one who drinks intoxicants while knowing that it is forbidden?

The questioner : My question is whether he is defiant. Is he?

The Shaykh : It is the same answer, my brother. What is the ruling on one who drinks intoxicants while knowing its prohibition? What is his ruling? You must know how to ask, for you mentioned the word "defiant." What do you mean? No, now finally you mentioned the word "disbeliever." This is more serious and more severe. Now we need to hold him accountable for the first one. It is not a reckoning of punishment and such, but what do you mean by it? Is he defiant? Does everyone who commits a forbidden act become defiant in your view?

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : Some of them are defiant.

The questioner : Allah knows best.

The Shaykh : Allah knows best that you do not know what you are saying. May Allah guide you. He knows that he is sinful. Is he defiant, or shall we remove it? From that point on, my brother, clearing him up will harm him, contrary to what you think.

The questioner : Clearing him up by explaining it to him, if Allah wills.