The Evil of Smoking

 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 Allaah has said: { And do not kill yourselves, Allaah is indeed Merciful
to you } (Soorah 4:29), and the Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said:
"Let there be no harming and no reciprocating harm." (Narrated by Ahmad).
Unfortunately, some Muslims, either deliberately, or through ignorance,
have been guilty of misleading Muslims, by repeating the earlier judgments
of scholars, that smoking is only disliked, and therefore, not forbidden.

The Messenger of Allaah( peace be upon him ) also said: "The feet of man
will not depart, on the Day of Judgment, from his standing before his
Lord, until he is asked about five things: His lifetime and how he spent it;
his youth and how he used it; his wealth - where he earned it and how he
spent it; and how he followed what he knew." (Narrated by At-Tirmizi)
He ( 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." (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari)
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". He is affected by insomnia, indigestion,
episodes of acute anxiety and so on…
Allaah’s Messenger ( peace be upon him ) said: "Anyone who believes in
Allaah and the Last Day should not hurt his neighbour." (Narrated by Al-
Bukhaari)
He ( peace be upon him )also said: "Verily, the example of a good companion
and a bad one is like that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith: As
for the perfume seller, he would either give you (some perfume), or you
would buy (some) from him, or at least, you would get a good smell from
him. And as for the blower of the bellows, you would either get a foul
odor from him, or he would burn your clothes." (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari
and Muslim)
Smoking is also a waste of one’s wealth on things which offer only harm
and no benefit, for Allaah, Most High says: { And do not waste [your
wealth] extravagantly. Indeed the squanderers are brethren to the devils
are brethren to the devils } (Soorah 17:26-27)
Smoking involves consuming an evil substance. It has a noxious smell, a
horrible taste and is harmful to the body. Allaah says: { He [the Prophet e]
who will enjoin upon them the doing of what is right, forbid them from
wrongdoing, make lawful to them the good things of life, forbid for them
the evil things and lift from them their burdens and the shackles that
were [formerly] upon them } (Soorah 7:157)
A smoker is not only a faasid (corrupt person), but also a mufsid (one who
spreads corruption): Because of his bad example, his family members,
friends and colleagues may also smoke. It is useless to say: "Do as I say,
and not as I do." The problem is exacerbated when the smoker affects an
air of religious piety or knowledge, because many people will take him as
a role model. This multiplies his sins and increases his burden. Genuinely
pious people avoid smoking and smokers, thus the smoker is excluded
from the company of the righteous.
Smokers find fasting during the month of Ramadan more difficult than
non-smokers, because they are suffering a form of drug addiction. They
rarely fast voluntary fasts since even the obligatory fast is a trial for them.
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 Allaah says: { Cooperate with one another in righteousness
and piety, and do not cooperate with one another in sinning
and transgression. And fear Allaah; verily, Allaah is severe in punishment }
(Soorah 5:2) and the Messenger of Allaah ( peace be upon him ) said:
"Indeed, when Allaah prohibits something, he prohibits its price." (Narrated
by Ahmad)
So dear brothers and sisters, if you are addicted to this foul habit, you
must make your intention firmly to Allaah to stop and seek aid with Him
Who hears and sees all, and always answers the supplication of the sincere
Believer. He, Most High says: { And when My slaves ask you about
Me, [oh, Muhammad, say that] verily, I am near [in hearing, seeing and
know-ledge]: I answer the supplication of the one who asks when he asks
Me } (Soorah 2:186)




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