Islam emphasized cleanliness and hygiene to the extent that it has been considered as part Iman (Faith). Islam prohibit all those kind of activities (smoking and drugs), which pollute, injure or destroy human body. It is haram for the Muslim to eat or drink anything 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. Quran says: “And forbids them what is bad ”. The Quran in Surah Al Araf, says “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork and ach such abominations that ye may prosper”. Smoking is nothing but a form of slow suicide. The Quran says: “And slay not the life which Allah hath forbidden” “And make not your own hands contribute to your destruction” The Quran in Surah, Al-Baqara says, “Nor kill or destroy yourselves for verily Allah hath been to you most merciful.” Islam prohibit all those kind of activities (smoking and drugs), which pollute, injure or destroy human body. It is haram for the Muslim to eat or drink anything 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 Ummah (the Muslim nation), 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; Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “No one will be allowed to move from his position on the Day of Judgment until he has been asked how he spent his life, how he used his knowledge, how he earns and spent his money and in what pursuits he used his health” (al-Tirmidhi). It is now evident by medical research beyond doubt that smoking is injurious to health. Tobacco use leads to harm affecting one’s body, mind and wealth. It causes cardio-vascular diseases such as heart disease, cancer such as lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and accumulation of toxicants in blood can affect fetal development in pregnant women. It is scientifically proven that the exhaled smoke from burning cigarette is hazardous to non smoker around them, known as a secondary smoker. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said: “Do not hurt yourselves and not injure others” (Imam Malik and Ibn Majah) . This means that causing any harm is prohibited, and it is prohibited also to try to remove one type of harm by causing or exposing harm to others.
“Non smoker present around the smoker force to inhale polluted air contained dangerous toxic substances. These secondary smokers are exposed to higher risk of disease causes by tobacco smoke, because secondary smoker inhaled all substances contained with cigarette smoke, while the smoker had filter with the cigarette. Thus, he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, but all grazing therein”.
Therefore all harms must be prevented. Islam views cleanliness very seriously. 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 smell. Allah (SWT) dislikes unclean and bad personal hygiene, Allah (SWT) says: “He allows them as lawful At-Taiyyibat (all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khaba’ith (all evil and unlawful as regards things, deed, belief, persons and foods” (Al A’raf). Foul smell of smokers or other form of tobacco use offends non-smokers, especially at congregational prayers or similar gathering. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said, “Whoever eats garlic or onions let him stay away from us and from our mosque and let him stay at home” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that, “Whom so ever drinks poison, there by killing himself, will sip this poison forever and ever in the fire of Hell” (Muslim). The word intoxication has three meanings: To induce, especially the effect of ingested alcohol, to stimulate or excite and to poison. Except the first meaning, smoking causes the second and third affects which also the effects of nicotine and caffeine. Non smoker present around the smoker force to inhale polluted air contained dangerous toxic substances. These secondary smokers are exposed to higher risk of disease causes by tobacco smoke, because secondary smoker inhaled all substances contained with cigarette smoke, while the smoker had filter with the cigarette. Thus, he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, but all grazing therein. “Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it is sound, all the body is sound and which, if it is corrupt, all of it will be corrupt, truly it is the heart” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
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