This Q&A was originally uploaded on the previous version of the www.sajidumar.com website on January 21, 2018.

Praise be to Allāh (SWT), and peace and salutations be upon our beloved Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ).

I have been asked on numerous occasions regarding Islam’s position on smoking, a practice that is unfortunately widespread. In recent times, we have also witnessed the increasing popularity of Huqqah (shīshah) smoking. Therefore, while seeking the assistance of Allāh (SWT), I present the following discussion and request your thoughtful attention.

Islam: A Complete Way of Life

Islam, all praise is due to Allāh (SWT), is not merely a religion but a complete and comprehensive way of life, governed by a divine constitution.

As believers in One Allāh (SWT) and followers of the Final Messenger (ﷺ), it is incumbent upon us to understand that the ultimate criterion for right and wrong is the command of Allāh and the teachings of His Messenger (ﷺ), not personal desires or social trends.

Submission to Divine Command

Before addressing the core of this discussion, reflect upon the words of our Creator:

“It is not for a believing man or woman, when Allāh and His Messenger have decreed a matter, that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allāh and His Messenger has indeed strayed into clear error.”
(Sūrat al-Aḥzāb 33:36)

Objectives of the Sharīʿah: Preservation of Life and Intellect

Among the primary objectives of the Sharīʿah is the protection of life and the preservation of the intellect.

Allāh (SWT) says:

“…He commands them with what is right and forbids them from what is wrong; He permits for them what is pure (al-ṭayyibāt) and prohibits for them what is impure (al-khabāʾith)… So those who believe in him (Muhammad (peace be upon him)) honor him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’ân) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful.”
(Sūrat al-Aʿrāf 7:157)

And He says:

“And spend in the cause of Allāh, and do not throw yourselves into destruction…”
(Sūrat al-Baqarah 2:195)

“And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allāh is Most Merciful to you.”
(Sūrat al-Nisāʾ 4:29)

The Proven Harm of Smoking

The dangers of smoking are no longer hidden or speculative; they are scientifically established.

• Approximately 442,000 people die annually in the United States due to smoking-related illnesses. One can only imagine the global death toll.

• Nearly 90% of lung cancer deaths are attributed to smoking.

• Smoking significantly increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and multiple forms of cancer.

• Second-hand smoke causes thousands of deaths annually and severely harms children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

• Smoking is addictive, affecting brain chemistry and reinforcing destructive behaviour.

• Even cigars and pipes contain the same toxic substances found in cigarettes.

(The above information has been extracted from multiple academic theses, primarily from the United States.)

Harming Others: A Form of Oppression

Careful reflection shows that smoking harms not only the smoker, but also innocent people nearby, turning them into passive smokers. This is undoubtedly a form of ẓulm (oppression).

Allāh (SWT) says:

“And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.”
(Sūrat al-Baqarah 2:258)

Islamic Etiquette and Consideration for Others

Imām al-Bukhārī and Imām Muslim report that the angels are harmed by what harms human beings.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever harms a Muslim has harmed me, and whoever harms me has harmed Allāh.”
(Reported by al-Ṭabarānī – ḥasan)

He (ﷺ) also said:

“Whoever eats garlic or onions should keep away from us and from our masājid.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī & Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

If temporary odours justify avoidance, then persistent, harmful smoke; which is far more offensive and dangerous, is even more deserving of prohibition.

Wastefulness and Accountability

Smoking also involves unnecessary expenditure and spending towards one’s own destruction.

Know, my dear brother and sister in Islam, that you will stand before Allāh on the Day of Qiyāmah, accountable for every penny spent.

Allāh (SWT) says:

“Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils…”
(Sūrat al-Isrāʾ 17:27)

And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Allāh has forbidden for you the wasting of wealth.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī & Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

Scholarly Verdicts on Smoking

Leading scholars from all four schools of jurisprudence have ruled that smoking is ḥarām, including:

• Shaykh Muḥammad al-ʿAynī (Ḥanafī)

• Shaykh ʿAbdullāh Abā Baṭīn (Ḥanbalī)

• Shaykh Shuhayyʿr al-Ghazzā (Shāfiʿī)

• Shaykh Khālid ibn Aḥmad (Mālikī), who stated it is impermissible to pray behind a smoker

The Ruling on Shīshah (Ḥuqqah)

Scientific research confirms that shīshah smoking carries equal, if not greater, harm than cigarettes. Therefore, it falls under the same Islamic ruling.

It involves wasting time, wealth, and health, often leading to prolonged gatherings that are detrimental to faith, intellect, and productivity.

“Take account of your seconds before Allāh takes account of you.”

Conclusion

It is abundantly clear that smoking, whether cigarettes or shīshah, is harmful, destructive, and Islamically impermissible.

An intelligent believer recognises the dangers of persisting in harmful practices, both in this world and the Hereafter.

This habit is truly a 'cancer' to every faculty of the son of Ādam.

O people of understanding, the choice is in your hands.

And Allāh (SWT) knows best.

Your brother

Sajid Umar

Location: 'somewhere en route to the hereafter'

04/05/1439 (AH) - 21/01/2018