Is qat a narcotic? And what is the ruling on eating it?

Question:
Is qat a narcotic, and what is the ruling on eating it? Please inform us. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Many scholars have mentioned that it is among the intoxicants and narcotics, and that it is from Yemen. I do not know where they learned this from. For this reason, in the conference recently held in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, the attendees unanimously agreed to prohibit it, just as they prohibit tobacco, because of the evil and corruption that result from it. Even though some of our brothers in Yemen denied this and said that its harm is light and that it does not lead to intoxication.
However, the one who uses it and lives on it may not perceive its evil and corruption, and it may be difficult for him to admit its evil and prohibition. As for those whom Allah has spared from its evil and who have come to know it, they have mentioned its corruption, that it may sometimes cause intoxication, and that the user may become confused about the road and neglect his family and children when he uses it. In addition to the neglect of work that results from it, and their remaining stored up for long periods, storing and spitting, and staying for long periods while they are idle due to their use of this affliction.