Is Smoking Haram? - Dr Zakir Naik Opinion

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the speaker argues that smoking is haram (forbidden) in Islam, citing medical evidence and religious texts. Initially considered makrooh (discouraged), smoking is now understood as a form of slow poisoning due to its harmful health effects, including links to cancer and cardiovascular disease. The speaker highlights that smoking not only damages the smoker but also harms those around them through secondhand smoke. Furthermore, it is asserted that smoking invalidates fasting, emphasizing the need for individuals to quit smoking, especially during Ramadan, to fulfill their spiritual obligations and enhance their well-being.

Takeaways

• 🚬 Smoking is considered haram (forbidden) by the majority of scholars due to its health risks and classification as a slow poison.
• 📜 Early opinions classified smoking as makrooh (discouraged), but advancements in science have shifted the consensus towards haram.
• 🧪 Medical studies indicate that smoking causes significant health issues, including lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
• ⚖️ The Quran advises against self-harm, and smoking is viewed as a form of self-destruction due to its health impacts.
• 💰 Smoking is seen as extravagant and wasteful, with money spent on cigarettes viewed as burning currency.
• 👥 Secondhand smoke poses serious risks, causing harm to non-smokers, particularly neighbors and family members.
• 🏥 More than 400 fatwas from various scholars support the view that smoking is haram, emphasizing the widespread agreement on this issue.
• ⏳ Smoking invalidates fasting since it introduces particles into the stomach, breaking the fast.
• 📅 The month of Ramadan is an opportunity for smokers to quit, as abstaining from smoking during fasting can encourage a permanent lifestyle change.
• 📖 The Prophet Muhammad's teachings advocate for actions that are beneficial and discourage harmful behaviors, reinforcing the stance against smoking.

Q & A

What is the general scholarly opinion on smoking according to the transcript?

Initially, many scholars considered smoking to be makrooh (discouraged) based on certain hadiths. However, with advancements in science revealing the harmful effects of smoking, most scholars now agree that smoking is haram (forbidden).

What evidence is presented in the transcript to classify smoking as haram?

The transcript references medical research showing that smoking leads to serious health issues, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It cites statistics from the World Health Organization that indicate millions die each year due to smoking, further supporting the view that smoking is a form of slow poisoning.

How does the speaker connect smoking to the concept of extravagance in Islam?

The speaker argues that smoking is extravagant because it involves wasting money on tobacco products. He likens smoking to burning money, which is discouraged in Islam, as Allah instructs against extravagance.

What does the speaker say about the impact of smoking on others?

The speaker emphasizes that smoking can harm others through passive smoking, which is often more harmful than active smoking. This consideration adds another layer to why smoking is deemed haram.

Does smoking invalidate a person's fast according to the speaker?

Yes, the speaker states that smoking does invalidate the fast. Scholars agree that some particles from smoke can enter the stomach, thus breaking the fast.

What advice does the speaker give to chain smokers during Ramadan?

The speaker advises chain smokers to use Ramadan as an opportunity to quit smoking altogether, suggesting that if they can abstain from smoking from dawn to dusk, they can also refrain from it permanently.

What hadith does the speaker reference regarding the consumption of garlic and onions in relation to smoking?

The speaker refers to a hadith where the Prophet Muhammad advised those who eat garlic or onions to avoid the mosque due to the bad breath they cause, noting that the smell of smoke is even worse.

How many fatwas against smoking are mentioned in the transcript?

The transcript mentions that there are more than 400 fatwas from various scholars declaring smoking as haram.

What verses from the Quran are cited to support the arguments against smoking?

The speaker cites Quranic verses such as Surah Araf (7:157), which encourages followers to adhere to what is good and lawful, and Surah Baqarah (2:195), which warns against causing self-destruction.

What broader health impacts of smoking are highlighted in the transcript?

The transcript highlights various health impacts, including blackened lips, damaged gums, stomach issues, loss of appetite, and decreased sexual power, all attributed to smoking.