Muslim Scholars concerning the Islamic Ruling on Smoking

Excerpts from the Opinions of Muslim Scholars concerning

the Islamic Ruling on Smoking

In the following pages a summary of each fatwa, or religious opinion, given by highly esteemed religious scholars in respect of the Islamic ruling on smoking. This section is followed by the full text of each fatwa to enable the reader to follow the reasoning used by the scholars in arriving at these conclusions.

Islamic Ruling on Smoking

It has become abundantly clear that, sooner or later, smoking, in whichever form and by whichever means, causes extensive health and financial damage to smokers. It is also the cause  of a variety of diseases. Consequently, and on this evidence alone, smoking would be forbidden and should in no way be practiced by Muslims. Furthermore, the obligation to preserve one’s health and wealth, as well as that of society as a whole, and medical evidence now available 0n the dangers of smoking, further support this view.
– Sheikh Gadul Haq Ali Gadul Haq Grand Imam of Al-Azhar .

Having read the several medical reports on the effects of smoking and the risks it poses to health and to society, I would say that it is absolutely forbidden (haram). Smokers should stop smoking and non- smokers should never take up the habit.
– Dr Abdul Galil Shalabi Member, Islamic Research Academy 

The Islamic ruling which one feels most happy about and which would leave our consciences clear is that smoking is haram. It is not wholesome due to its foul taste, bad smell and the serious health risks it causes.
–   Dr Hamid Jamie, Former Secretary of Al-Azhar University Consultant,Islamic Fiqh Encyclopedia, Kuwait.

Now that medical experts and specialists have settled this issue, the general ruling on smoking would range from haram to censurable, bordering on haram. The same ruling would apply to trading in tobacco and tobacco products. Those who wish to trade in tobacco products ought to be aware of the consequences of their action.
– Professor Zakaria al-Birry Chairman, Islamic Sharia Department Faculty of Law, Cairo University Member,
Islamic Research Academy Member, Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

Whether smoking is ruled to be haram or censurable, fighting it is certainly supported and approved in Islamic law, because, as a general rule, Muslims are urged to preserve and safeguard all aspects of their physical, mental, spiritual and economic health and well-being.
–     Sheikh Attia Saqr , Member, Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee Member, Islamic Research Academy

Sooner or later, all forms of smoking are bound to cause illness and disease. Most serious of these are heart diseases and cancer of the respiratory system and the urinary tracts. Smoking also involves wasting money. Accordingly, smoking, from the Islamic point of view, is haram, and people should, by virtue of their religious obligations as well as common sense, refrain from it.
– Sheikh Mustafa Muhammad al-Hadidi al- Tayr , Member, Islamic Research Academy

Since reliable religious and medical authorities have unanimously judged smoking and drug taking harmful and wasteful to the human body, mind and soul, and that they are an abuse of one’s health and wealth, the Islamic ruling could only be that they are haram. All those who import, trade in or use these substances, whether in small or large quantities, should be liable to the appropriate religious and legal penalties.
– Sheikh Abdullah al-Mishad , Member, Islamic Research Academy Chairman, AI-Azhar Fatwa Committee

Since the damage caused by smoking to human life is so evident, there is no doubt that it is haram.
– Dr Ahmad Omar Hashim , Chairman,  Hadith Studies Department Faculty of Theology, Al-Azhar University.

Based on available evidence, we can categorically say that smoking is harmn, and that it is the duty of all Muslims to fight this harmful and deadly habit.
– Dr Al-Husayni Hashim (deceased) ,  Deputy Rector, Al-Azhar University

In view of the harm caused by tobacco, growing, trading in and smoking of tobacco are judged to be haram. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, “Do not harm yourselves or others”, Furthermore, tobacco is unwholesome and God says in the Quran that the Prophet (pbuh) enjoins upon them that which is good and pure and forbids them that which is unwholesome.
–   Permanent Committee of Academic Research and Fatwa, Saudi Arabia ,  Abdul-Aziz bin Baz, Chairman;  Abdul-Razzaq Afifi, Vice-President ;  Abdullah bin Qa’oud, Member.

Taken from islamset
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za