The Ruling on Qat, Tobacco, and the Company of Those Who Consume Them

Question: What is the ruling on qat and tobacco, which have become widespread among some Muslims? What is the ruling on keeping the company of one who consumes either or both of them? And what is obligatory for the head of the family regarding his son or brother if he consumes any of these two types?

Answer: There is no doubt in the prohibition of qat and tobacco; because of their many harms, their numbing effect in some cases, and their intoxicating effect in some cases—as the trustworthy and knowledgeable people have explicitly stated—and the scholars have authored many works on their prohibition, among them our Shaykh, the distinguished scholar Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Uthaymin, the former Mufti of the Saudi lands, may Allah have mercy on him.
So it is obligatory for every Muslim to leave them and beware of them, and it is not permissible to sell them, buy them, or trade in them, and their price is forbidden and illicit. We ask Allah for the Muslims to be safe from them.
And it is not permissible to keep the company of one who consumes them or other types of intoxicants; because that is among the causes of falling into them, and it is obligatory for the Muslim, wherever he is, to keep the company of the good and to beware of the company of the evil. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) compared the good companion to the carrier of musk, and said: And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
And it is obligatory for the head of the family to take hold of the hand of one who consumes any of these reprehensible matters, and to prevent him from them, even by beating and disciplining, or by expelling him from the house until he repents. And Allah the Exalted said: [al-Taghabun: 16], and He said: : [al-Talaq: 4].
May Allah improve the conditions of the Muslims, and guide them to all that is in their well-being and the well-being of their families; He is the best of those asked.