If smoking is haraam, why do so many Muslims smoke? My cousin in Egypt never abstains from smoking even during Ramadan. I know why it is haraam to smoke around children and un-consenting adults. But is it wrong, occasionally to smoke a cigar or two, since it is not forbidden in the Qur’an and does not hinder judgment as alcohol and other drugs do.
Question number: 335
Date posted: 2002-12-23
Answer:
One of the principles of Islamic jurisprudence is that all that is harmful and filthy is considered haraam or forbidden.
There is enough scientific evidence to prove that smoking is harmful to health. Islam teaches us to take care of our health and not to destroy it. By smoking we are causing our own destruction; Allah’s order in the Qur’an is clear: “Do not cause your own destruction.” (Q. 2: 195); “Do not kill yourself, for verily God is ever merciful towards you.” (Q. 4:29).
Allah has prohibited us from squandering our wealth; there is no doubt smoking is sheer wastage of valuable resources. The money thus squandered on tobacco could very well rid the world of poverty—if rightly utilised.
As for the question why many Muslims still do smoke, I can’t find any reason other than their sheer ignorance of Islamic teachings or their being carried away by their lusts.
May Allah make us love faith and embellish our hearts with it, and make us detest disbelief, transgression and destructive habits.
