1st August 2014
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: Is smoking Harām and where is the evidence.
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
Smoking is classed as Makrooh-e-Tahreemi which implies prohibition but lesser degree to Harām, (although some have classed it as outright Harām). There is no categorical evidence in the Holy Qur’ān regarding smoking simply because this did not exist during the time of the Messenger of Allāh sallallahu alayhi wasallam and the generation that followed. Therefore, in light of the teachings of the Holy Qur’ān and Sunnah, smoking violates many of the Shar’ee principles, some of which are as follows;
1: Damaging one’s health— Smoking is associated with many health risks and illnesses. The Shar’ee perspective in relation to the body is that it is sacred which demands safe guarding from any harmful substance. This body ultimately belongs to Allāh Almighty entrusted to human beings to bear the responsibility of utilizing it in the correct manner and not to commit any act which would harm or violate the sanctity of the body. By smoking, it violates the sanctity of the body by causing unnecessary harm to it. Allāh Almighty states, “And do not cast yourself into destruction with your own hands.” (Surah al-baqarah 2:195). Although this verse was revealed in relation to a particular incident, however its application is general, which is not to cause unnecessary harm to one-self.
2: Squandering of money— To squander one’s wealth on that which is neither beneficial and causes more harm to a person than benefit is part of extravagance. The Holy Qur’ān and Sunnah have clearly prohibited this. A person purchasing cigarettes almost everyday is squandering his wealth upon that which will cause more harm to his body than benefit. The Holy Qur’ān states, “And do not waste, for Allāh does not love those who waste” (Surah al-Anām 6:141). The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Verily Allāh has prohibited for you disobedience towards parents, burying daughters alive, to deny what you owe and demand what you have no right to and has disliked for you gossip, excessive questioning and the squandering of wealth.” (Bukhāri, Muslim)
The above was to point out the main reasons why it is prohibited otherwise there are many reasons as to why smoking has been prohibited in Islām.
[Allãh Knows Best]
Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed
Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department