Is Smoking Haram or Makruh

Smoking and Islam

In Islam cleanliness and hygiene are emphasized to the extent that it has been considered a part of Iman (faith). It is very well known that a smoker's mouth is unclean and foul smelling "like a cigarette ash-tray."

Allah says: "And forbids them what is bad." The Qur'an, Surah Al-'Araf, 7: 157

"0 ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling are an abomination of Satan's handiwork. Eschew such abominations that ye may prosper." Al Ma'idah, 5: 93

 The word intoxicant has three meanings : 

(1)       To induce, especially the effect of ingested alcohol.

(2)        To stimulate or excite.

(3)        To poison.  

 Except the first meaning the latter two are very well valid and both applicable to nicotine and caffeine.

Smoking is nothing but a form of slow suicide. The Qur'an says:

"And slay not the life which Allah hath forbidden..."   Surah, Al-Isra, 17: 33

"And make not your own hands contribute to your destruction." Surah, Al-Baqara, 2: 195

"Nor kill or destroy yourselves for verily Allah hath been to you most   Merciful."    Surah, An-Nisa, 4: 29

The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: "Nor be hurt or injure others."

It is scientifically proven that the exhaled smoke of the smoker is hazardous to non-smokers around him.

The amount of money a smoker spends on cigarette smoking in a period of 30 years is calculated to be $200,000 or more. All this money is simply wasted (not including the money spent on smoker's health care). 

Allah says:  

"But squander not your wealth in the manner of a spend thrift, verily spendthrifts are brothers of evils." Surah, Al-Isra, 17: 26, 27

Body is polluted by smoking. Hence smokers cannot pray until they have cleansed themselves.

According to the Qur'an:

"0 ye who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when you are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter, nor when you are polluted save when journeying upon the road, till you have bathed." Surah, An-Nisa, 4: 43

The Christians consider the human body to be a sacred trust given to man by God because it contains the spirit breathed into it by God.

Even the Qur'an says
"So,when I have made him and have breathed unto him of My spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves unto him "                    Surah, Al-Hijr, 15: 29.

Hence the physical body should not be polluted or injured or destroyed in any way by smoking or taking of alcohol or any type of habit-forming drugs.

The following is presented as evidence to prove the adverse effects on human body by tobacco smoke; statistic shows the chemical structure of Benzo (a) pyrene which is one of the most potent carcinogens known to man to be present in the tobacco smoke.

Statistic shows a list of tumor-initiating agents present in the particulate phase of tobacco smoke.

Market survey present the mortality ratios for coronary artery disease, lung cancer, and other diseases. It shows the adverse effects of smoking by pregnant women on themselves, their fetus, and their children.

Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons and for reasons considered elsewhere smoking is Makruh or Haram or unlawful in Islam, hence smoking should be discouraged ( Makruh ).

All smoking Muslims should give up this unhealthy and un-Islamic activity. The best way to give it up is to stop all smoking completely. Tapering off on the amount one smokes does not work for most people. It is not easy to quit suddenly, but it is presently the most successful way. There are many ways and techniques available for a serious minded person to give up smoking, which cannot be discussed here.  For the Muslims who sincerely practice Islam and who submit themselves to the Will of Allah, this should not be a difficult task.