An Islamic centre of Qatar
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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)
“…nor kill or destroy yourselves” (4, 29)
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