An Islamic centre of Qatar Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 12 | Size: 1 MB
Smoking is a modern day catastrophe. It
is harmful in all aspects, for it is a waste of money, an unnecessary
destruction of health and it can disturb the social balance of the
family. The smoker breathes harm with every cigarette he lights, because
both nicotine and tar mix with his blood which ultimately poisons his
health and life. Smoking is the quickest way to contract various
diseases, some of which include cardiac disease, respiratory problems,
and lung cancer.
Historical Notes:
Tobacco derived from Tubago, which is an
island in the Gulf of Mexico where this plant was found. It was carried
to Spain then to Europe.It was introduced to the Muslim world
intentionally by tobacco companies, who encouraged its spread together
with all types of in toxic ants. Nowadays smoking is decreasing in the
industrial countries while it is highly increasing in the poor
developing countries.
Modern Statistics:
It is reported by the World Health
Organization that: At least a million people die annually prematurely‘
all over the world of the 50% adults in the developing countries smoke
tobacco. Smoking and chewing tobacco lead to 90% of lung cancer cases
75% of atherosclerosis and 25% of heart diseases. In America
approximately 84% of laryngeal cancer patients were smokers Mouth
cancers were 13 times more common in smokers Researchers proved that
smokers might have 65 times the chance of contracting lung cancer than
non-smokers Cancer of the esophagus was 11.5 times more common in
smokers than others The newborn babies of smoking mothers are weaker and
weighed 200 grams less in weight.
The view upon smoking within Islam:
«Tobacco is a foul thing. » Dr. Yusuf Al Qaradawi in his book «The Lawful and Prohibited In Islam.»
A general rule of the Islamic Shari’ah is
that it is haram for the Muslim to eat or drink any thing which may
cause his death, either quickly or gradually, such as poisons or
substances which are injurious to health or harmful to his body. It is
also haram to eat or drink large quantities of a substance if large
quantities of it cause illness For the Muslim is not entirely his own
master; he is also an asset to his religion and his community, and his
life,health wealth and all that Allah has bestowed upon him are a trust
with him which he is not permitted to diminish Allah says:
«And do not kill yourselves; indeed, Allah is ever Merciful to you.» (4,29)
He also says:
«And do not be cast into ruin by your own hands …» (2, 195)
And His Messenger (peace be on him) said:
« Do not harm yourself or others.»
As an application of this principle, we
may say that if it is proved that the use of tobacco is in injurious to
health it is prohibited especially for a person whose physician has
advised him to stop smoking. Even if it is not injurious, to health it
is still a waste of money, spent neither for religious nor for secular
benefit and the Prophet (peace be on him) forbade wasting of wealth This
becomes the more serious when the money is otherwise needed for the
sustenance of oneself or one’s family.
Help your loved ones stop smoking:
A fifth of the world’s population is
Muslim, and most Muslims live in areas where the prevalence of smoking
is high and increasing by the day. According to statistics, it is
estimated that out of the five million people who die due to smoking
related causes every year, one million are Muslims. Yet, thanks to media
influences and advertising, which erroneously portray smoking as part
of a glamorous lifestyle, many Muslims, both men and women, are prompted
to take to the habit themselves. In response to the growing trend,
health and religious authorities across the world have launched
anti-smoking drives, to deter people and raise awareness of the harmful
effects of smoking. Besides the mandatory health warning on cigarette
packets, it has been proposed that the pack should carry graphic images
of the diseases that can be contracted by smoking, to drive the point
home to smokers.
In another official initiative, many
cities and public places around the world have designated areas as
«non-smoking», to make it difficult for people to smoke. Recently the
holy cities of Makkah and Madeenah have been declared no-smoking zones,
and smoking or even selling cigarettes has been made a punishable
offence there.
Similarly, mosques and religious leaders
across the world have taken it upon themselves to educate people about
the harmful effects of smoking, which is considered a prohibited act in
Islam. The Qur’an says (what means):
“…make not your own hands contribute to your destruction” (2, 195)
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