Only One Right Path Lecture 091 : Suicide by Smoking
*In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful*
*Suicide by Smoking***
Most Muslims are aware of and try to avoid the major sins in Islam - murder,
suicide, adultery, alcohol, gambling, usury, etc. Muslims are forbidden to
harm themselves or others. Yet millions of Muslims all over the world are
doing just that - harming, even killing themselves and their families.
Islamic scholars have historically had mixed views on the subject, and the
actions of these Muslims have not been unanimously forbidden or even
discouraged.
The danger is tobacco use - cigarette and cigar smoking, chew, etc. The
mixed views on the subject came about because cigarettes are a more recent
invention and did not exist at the time of the revelation of the Quraan in
the 7th century A.D. Therefore, one cannot find a verse of Quraan or words
of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saying clearly that *"Cigarette
smoking is forbidden." *However, there are many instances where the Quraan
gives us general guidelines, and calls upon us to use our reason and
intelligence, and seek guidance from Allah about what is right and wrong. In
the Quraan, Allah says, *....he [the Prophet] commands them what is just,
and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good, and
prohibits them from what is bad...*" (Surah al-Ar'af 7:157). So what are
the evils of tobacco use, for your health and for your deen (religion)?
*1. Danger to your health*
Allah says,"*...make not your own hands contribute to your
destruction. ..*"(Surah
al-Baqarah 2:195, );"*...nor kill yourselves.. .*" (Surah al-Nisaa 4:29). It
is universally understood that cigarette smoking causes a number of health
problems that often ultimately result in death. Men who smoke contract lung
cancer at 22 times the rate of non-smokers. Smokers are also highly at risk
for heart disease, emphysema, oral cancer, stroke, etc. There are hundreds
of poisonous and toxic
the cigarette itself that the smoker inhales straight into the lungs.
In
an authentic Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said
that *"Whomsoever
drinks poison, thereby killing himself, will sip this poison forever and
ever in the fire of Jahannum (Hell)." * Over 3 million people worldwide die
from smoking-related causes each year.
*2. Danger to your family's health*
In the Quraan, Allah says: *"Those who annoy believing men and women
undeservedly bear on themselves a glaring sin"* (Surat al-Ahzaab 33:58).
And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said *that "there should be neither
harming, nor reciprocating harm.?*/I> In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace
be upon him) said: *"Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day should
not hurt his neighbor." *Those around the smoker inhale what is known as
"second-hand smoke" - the unfiltered, poisonous waste that goes in the air
around the smoker. There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, over
40 of which are known to cause cancer. Second-hand smoke causes or
aggravates asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems, especially in
children.
*3. Addictive*
The addiction to tobacco is a physical response that often interferes with
one's life and worship. For example, most Muslims are aware that it is
forbidden to smoke during the fasting days of Ramadan. Many of these
addicted smokers spend their fasting days sleeping, cranky, and
short-tempered, just counting the hours until they can have their fix.
There have been times when the most severely addicted will wait outside the
masjed door for the adhan, and break their fast by lighting up, before
taking even food or water.
*4. Noxious Smell*
Muslims are advised to refrain from eating raw onions and garlic - simply as
a courtesy to those around them. Nobody likes the smell. The same goes
even more so for the reek of cigarettes, which permeates everything around
the smoker - hair, clothing, home, car, etc. The Prophet (peace be upon
him) said: *whoever has eaten from such greens as garlic, onions or leek
should keep away from our Masjid.?* Many smokers try to hide the smell by
using breath mints or perfume. This does not get rid of the smell, it only
masks it. Often the combination of smells is even more nauseating.
*5. Waste of Money*
Allah says, *"...But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a
spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the devils...?*{ Surah
al-Israa?17: 26-27} And in an authentic Hadith the Prophet (peace be upon
him) said that: *"Allah hates for you three things: gossiping, begging, and
wasting money." *In the U.S. and other countries, cigarettes are taxed
heavily in order to discourage this habit and reimburse the government for
the overwhelming health care costs to care for those afflicted with diseases
caused by smoking. Smokers often spend thousands of dollars a year that
literally just go up in smoke.
*
Recent Opinions of Scholars*
In more recent times, as these dangers of tobacco use have come to be proven
beyond any doubt, scholars have become more unanimous in pronouncing tobacco
use clearly *Haraam* (forbidden) to believers. They now use the strongest
terms to condemn this habit.
*How to Quit?*
As mentioned, one of the dangers of tobacco is that it is so addicting. It
causes a physical response in your body when you try to give it up.
Therefore, quitting is often difficult. However, with the help of Allah and
the personal commitment to improve yourself for the sake of Allah, and for
your own health, it is possible. It is first recommended to make the firm
intention, from deep in your heart, to give up this evil habit. Trust in
Allah's words: *"...When you have taken a decision, put your trust in
Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. If Allah help
you, none can overcome you; if He forsakes you, who is - after that - that
can help you? In Allah, then, let believers put their trust" *(Surah
Al-'lmran 3:159-160).
Secondly, one must avoid situations where you are used to smoking, and
people who do so around you. For example, if you have certain friends who
gather together and they all constantly smoke - make a choice (Allah gave
you free will to choose!) to stay away from that environment for the time
being. At a vulnerable stage, it is too easy to get sucked back in by
having "just one." Remember, tobacco causes a physical addiction and you
must stay away completely. Drink a lot of water and keep yourself busy in
other endeavors. Go to the masjed. Play sports. And remember the words of
Allah: *"And those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will certainly guide
them to Our Paths, for verily Allah is with those who do right?(*Surah
al-Ankabut 29:69).
*Living With a Smoker*
If you live with or are friends with smokers, first of all encourage them to
quit, for the sake of Allah, their deen, and their health. If they refuse
(and ultimately we will face Allah alone), you have the right to protect
your own health and the health of your children. Do not allow it in the
house. Do not allow it in enclosed quarters with your family. Even if the
smoker is a parent, we are not to obey our
things, which are forbidden by Allah.
Thats a nice piece, Bamalli. I too had once read and pocessed one book thats talking on smoking some time ago. Its titled Why Do You Smoke? In Arabic Limaatha Tadhkhuun? Can't remember the name of the author because I lost it. But its remarkably good. Try getting it.
My time is due.............but this will definately be revisited.............I have major concerns!
Ummita! Ummita!! Ummita!!! i no understand this
your post.
are you in disagreement with Sheik Shahidullah
Hujjatul Islam fil Kline Akramakallahu Goni Bamalli?
Dan Borno Almajiri nake ban kai nan ba!.Thanks
Ruling on smoking
Question:
Is smoking cigarettes Haraam?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be on His Prophet SAWS.
Smoking is one of the things which has caused a lot of problems and harm these days and it has spread like wild fire. Before we discuss this topic in detail, we should know that Allaah the Almighty has divided things in the world into two types, good or permissible (al-tayyibaat, al-halaal) and evil or prohibited (al-khabaa'ith, al-haraam), and there is no third type. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning) in surat al-A'raaf (7:157):
"And He makes good things halaal for them and bad things haraam."
Considering this fact, smoking can either be permissible and good or prohibited and evil.
Thus, we present some of its characteristics and let the person asking the question see himself in which type lies smoking.
1. There is no disagreement among the physicians and sane people that smoking is harmful for health. It is one of the major causes of lung cancer and other diseases. It is also one of the major causes of death. Since, it is known that the Islamic law prohibits everything that is harmful for a human being. Allah said (interpretation of meaning):
"Do not kill yourself. Allah is Merciful unto you." (Surat al-Nisaa' 4:29)
In addition, His Prophet SAWS (peace be upon him) said:
"There is no harm or causing of harm (in Islaam)." (Arabic "laa darar wa laa diraar")
He SAWS (peace be upon him) also said:
"A person will not be able to move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about ... his body as to what he engaged it in."
Smoking also goes against the saying of the Prophet SAWS:
"Your body has a right on you."
2. There is no disagreement among the physicians and sane people that smoking is harmful for the health of others who inhale the polluted breath of the smoker. Medical research has proven the harmful effects of smoking mothers on their children.
3. The offensive smell caused by smoking is a source of pain to the worshippers of Allah among humans and angels. The angels are offended and suffer from the same things that the human beings suffer from. Allah said (interpretation of the meaning):
"Those who cause harm to believing men and women without any reason do a great sin." (Surat al-Ahzaab, 33:58)
4. The money that is spent on cigarettes is used on buying a harmful thing and is therefore an extravagance. Allah said (interpretation of the meaning):
"... and do not be extravagant wasters. Those who are extravagant are kinsmen of Satan." (Surat al-Israa' 17:26-27)
Extravagance (in Islam) means spending on something haraam.
Spending money on cigarettes is a waste of resources as well. The Prophet SAWS (peace be upon him) said:
"A person will not be able to move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about ..... what he owned as to how he spent it."
Considering all that has been presented, it can be clearly seen that smoking is an evil among many others. It is not permissible to indulge in it, or buy and sell it, or even to offer it to others. It is incumbent on a person who is addicted to it that he must make all efforts and get whatever necessary treatment to stop it. If the unbelievers have understood the harm caused by smoking and made laws regarding it, the Muslims should be even more eager to stop it and treat those who are addicted to it.
We ask Allah the Almighty to cure everyone indulging in this evil and help him in giving it up. Allah is the Best Guide to the Right Path.