Ruling

Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco is legally permissible in Islamic law (as long as it does not cause intoxication), but it is generally disliked. However, if a cigarette causes intoxication, it is unanimously considered impermissible and haram.

People who are habitual smokers often suffer from various diseases, which indicates that smoking is not free from harm. Therefore, since it is known that smoking is detrimental to health, and preserving life is essential, smoking is not a wise choice.

Evidence of Permissibility

1. “I say: Our venerable master, the gnostic Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, also authored a treatise on its permissibility, naming it ‘Reconciliation Among Brothers on the Permissibility of Smoking.’ He discussed it in many of his esteemed works, decisively refuting those who claim it is forbidden or disliked. These are legal rulings that require evidence, and there is no evidence for such claims. It has not been proven to cause intoxication, mental clouding, or harm; rather, benefits have been established. Thus, it falls under the principle that the default ruling on things is permissibility. Moreover, assuming it harms some individuals does not necessitate its prohibition for everyone, just as honey can harm those with dominant yellow bile and may even make them ill, despite being a cure by definitive text.” (Fatawa Shami, Book of Drinks, Vol. 6, p. 459)
2. There is no explicit ruling regarding smoking in the Quran and Sunnah. Therefore, it falls under the legal principle stated by jurists, “The default ruling on things is permissibility.”
3. Sheikh al-Islam Mawlana Ahmad Raza Khan writes: “As for the issue of smoking tobacco through a hookah, if it causes mental clouding or dulls the senses, as is common among the ignorant in India at the time of breaking the fast during Ramadan, then it is inherently haram. This is based on a hadith from Sayyida Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that anything that causes intoxication or dulls the senses is forbidden. Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud have narrated this with an authentic chain. Otherwise, if it does not become a habit but produces a detestable odor, it is somewhat disliked (makruh tanzihan) and against the preferred action, similar to consuming raw garlic and onions. If it is free from even this, meaning it does not produce a bad smell, then it is permissible, as researched by Mawlana Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi in his work ‘Hadiqat al-Nadiyya,’ among others.” (Fatawa Razawiyya, Vol. 23, p. 299)

Change in Rulings:

The above explanation indicates that smoking, in itself, is permissible. However, it is important to remember that smoking becomes prohibited when it has either of the following two effects:

1. Intoxication
2. Definite danger to life

This is because anything intoxicating is forbidden according to the Hadith “كل مسكر حرام” (Every intoxicant is prohibited). The second reason for prohibition is that if smoking leads to someone’s death, it becomes forbidden. Here are some research findings on the harmful effects of smoking:

According to research, over 33% of the world’s population smokes. Smoking not only causes various diseases but also results in the deaths of millions of people every year. Among these deaths are individuals who do not smoke themselves but are affected by the smoke of those around them.

Why do people become addicted to smoking? According to research, cigarette smoke contains a component that destroys the enzyme “Monoamine Oxidase B” in the brain. This enzyme normally works to neutralize the effects of the chemical “Dopamine,” which is responsible for increasing the desire for pleasure. Essentially, “Monoamine Oxidase B” acts as a gatekeeper for desires. Smokers have significantly lower levels of this enzyme relative to the amount of dopamine, leading to an increased desire for pleasure and thus, more smoking.

Here are a few disadvantages of smoking: While smokers might see some benefits, the drawbacks are predominant. For example, smoking can lead to sleep disturbances, an increased risk of heart attacks for diabetic patients, a tendency to break fasts due to a lack of patience, and a need for higher doses of medication as their effectiveness diminishes.

Diseases caused by smoking include lung infections, respiratory illnesses, psychological disorders, depression, and the risk of blood vessels in the brain bursting.

When it is clear that smoking can be harmful both financially and physically, it is generally considered permissible but discouraged. However, when the aforementioned two reasons (intoxication, life-threatening) are present, smoking becomes prohibited.

Allah Almighty states in the Quran: “وَ لَا تُلْقُوْا بِاَیْدِیْكُمْ اِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ” (Do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands). This means that anything that leads to destruction should be avoided.