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Offline Reader Questions

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Is Smoking Forbidden / Haram
« on: January 20, 2014, 08:59:36 AM »
Salamun alaykum Joseph, i feel blessed finding your website. Alhamdulillah.

I have a question about halal/haram of smoking cigarette (tobacco). Is it intoxicant? (Khamr). I'd be very glad to your reply.

From Indonesia

Offline Joseph Islam

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Re: Is Smoking Forbidden / Haram
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2014, 09:14:12 AM »
Wa alaikum assalam

In the main, it depends on what one is smoking. If one's cigarette contains substances / agents which intoxicates and clouds judgment then it arguably falls under the core meaning of 'Khamr' which carries the nuance of concealment, to cover and something which clouds or obscures the intellect.

I do not feel that general smoking (pipes or cigarettes) strictly fall under such a category even in its broadest interpretative sense as it doesn't intoxicate in a manner which clouds or obscures the intellect. However, if it has that effect on one, then one would arguably be in breach of verse 5:90.

However, it is a known fact, backed up by considerable research that smoking is injurious to health. Therefore, if one smokes knowing this, then one is only causing injury to themselves and in the spirit of the Quran's guidance which entices cleanliness and purity of mind and soul, such a habit is arguably contentious and thus best avoided.

Traditional scholars appear to appeal to verse 2:195 to imply that smoking is forbidden due to the guidance given by the verse as smoking is known to be injurious to health.

"and do not make your own hands the cause of your destruction"

However, if the whole of verse 2:195 is consulted, one notes that the statement is in context of 'spending'.

002.195
"And spend of your substance in the way of God and do not make your own hands the cause of your destruction; and do good; for God loves those who do good."

It is the Quran's instruction not to go to either extremes with one's resources, but to keep a healthy balance. The above verse is explicitly supported by other verses dealing with spending.

017.026
"And give to the near of kin his due and (to) the needy and the wayfarer, and do not spend / squander wastefully."

017:027
"Indeed the squanderers  / spendthrifts are the brothers of the devils and the Devil is ungrateful to his Lord."

017.028
"And if you turn away from them to seek mercy from your Lord, which you hope for, speak to them a gentle word."

017.029
"And do not make your hand to be shackled / chained to your neck nor extend it forth to the utmost (limit) / reach, less you should (afterwards) sit down blameworthy, stripped off / insolvent"

017.030
"Indeed your Lord makes plentiful the means of subsistence for whom He pleases and He straitens (them); Indeed, He is ever Aware of, Seeing, His servants."

Therefore, albeit it is debateable to cite verse 2:195 dealing with spending out of context to imply that smoking is forbidden (due to self inflicting injury), it should be appreciated that such a habit, given its impact to one's health and the immediate environment would arguably place it in conflict with the general ethos of the Quran's overarching guidance.

Any addiction or otherwise, which is injurious to one's health and to others, should be arguably curtailed with a view to preserve life in its broadest sense.  Preservation of life (which is a gift from God) and all necessary steps to improve its quality could be argued under the general instruction of verse 5:32, where emphasis is placed on saving lives as a core duty of mankind.

When in doubt, it is always best to err on the side of caution.

I hope that helps, God willing.
Joseph


RELATED:

[1] Does Cannabis come under the category of 'Khamar'?
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=46
[2] Are Light Intoxicants Permissible on the Basis of 16:67 & 4:43?
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=754
[3] ARE INTOXICANTS FORBIDDEN (HARAM) IN THE QURAN?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/intoxication%20FM3.htm
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