Smoking was discovered by the Spanish conquistadors in America, about 500 years ago; from Spain, it spread to the rest of Europe, and thence to the Muslim world about 100 years later. Unfortunately, while the West has long realized the dangers of smoking and attempted to reduce it, in the Muslim lands, it has spread with little or no interference. Early Muslim scholars, confronted with this obnoxious habit, declared it to be Makrooh (detested), comparing it with such things as garlic and onions. This was due to the fact that, at that time, no one was aware of the harmful effects produced by smoking, which include, cancer, heart disease, strokes, miscarriages and premature birth in women and several other diseases. Since it has become clear that smoking is harmful, it is obligatory upon all Muslims to abstain from it, for Allah has said: “And do not kill yourselves, Allah is indeed Merciful to you.” (Qur'an, 4:29), and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Let there be no inflicting of harm and no reciprocating harm.” (Ahmad) Unfortunately, some Muslims, either deliberately, or through ignorance, have been guilty of misleading Muslims, by repeating the earlier judgements of scholars, that smoking is only disliked, and therefore, not forbidden. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also said: “Whoever imbibes poison, killing himself with it, will be consuming his poison in the Hell-fire and will dwell therein eternally.” (Al-Bukhari) Smoking is also harmful to the human mind and reason. One only has to observe a smoker who has been deprived of his cigarettes for a while: He is rude, nervous, quick to anger and incapable of concentration. He cannot relax until he has had his “fix.” The effect upon those around him is almost equally unpleasant. It has been firmly established by scientists, that secondary smoking is at least, if not more harmful than primary smoking, particularly for children. Smoking is also a waste of one's wealth on things which offer only harm and no benefit. A smoker spreads the habit in the society. Because of his bad example, his family members, friends and colleagues may also smoke. Smokers find fasting during Ramadan more difficult than non-smokers. They rarely fast voluntary fasts. The prohibition of smoking applies equally to the user, the seller, the manufacturer, the advertiser and all those involved in its production, sale or consumption, for Allah says: “Help you one another in righteousness and piety; but do not help one another in sin and transgression..” (Qur'an, 5:2) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, when Allah prohibits something, he prohibits eating its price.” (Ahmad) So dear readers, if you are addicted to this habit, make your intention firmly to Allah to stop and seek His help. Allah always answers the du'a of the believer.
