|
Suicide by Smoking
Most Muslims are aware of
and try to avoid the major sins in Islam - murder, suicide,
adultery, alcohol, gambling, usury, etc. Muslims are
forbidden to harm themselves or others. Yet millions
of Muslims all over the world are doing just that - harming,
even killing themselves and their families. Islamic scholars
have historically had mixed views on the subject, and the
actions of these Muslims have not been unanimously forbidden
or even discouraged.
The danger is tobacco use - cigarette and cigar smoking,
chew, etc. The mixed views on the subject came about
because cigarettes are a more recent invention and did not
exist at the time of the revelation of the Qur'an in the 7th
century A.D. Therefore, one cannot find a verse of
Qur'an or words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
saying clearly that
"Cigarettee smoking is forbidden." However,
there are many instances where the Qur'an gives us general
guidelines, and calls upon us to use our reason and
intelligence, and seek guidance from Allah about what is
right and wrong. In the Qur'an, Allah says, ...he [the
Prophet] commands them what is just, and forbids them what
is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good, and
prohibits them from what is bad..." (Surah al-Araf
7:157). So what are the evils of tobacco use, for your
health and for your deen (religion)?
1. Danger to your health
Allah says, "...make not your own hands contribute to
your destruction..." (Surah al-Baqarah 2:195);
"...nor kill yourselves..." (Surah al-Nisaa 4:29).
It is universally understood that cigarette smoking causes a
number of health problems that often ultimately result in
death. Men who smoke contract lung cancer at 22 times the
rate of non-smokers. Smokers are also highly at risk
for heart disease, emphysema, oral cancer, stroke, etc.
There are hundreds of poisonous and toxic ingredients in the
cigarette itself that the smoker inhales straight into the
lungs. In an authentic hadith, the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) said that "Whomsoever drinks
poison, thereby killing himself, will sip this poison
forever and ever in the fire of Jahannum (Hell)."
Over 3 million people worldwide die from smoking-related
causes each year.
2. Danger to your family's health
In the Qur'an, Allah says: "Those who annoy believing
men and women undeservedly bear on themselves a glaring
sin" (Surat al-Ahzaab 33:58). And the Prophet (peace be
upon him) said that "there should be neither harming,
nor reciprocating harm. In another hadith, the Prophet
(peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who believes in Allah
and the Last Day should not hurt his neighbor." Those
around the smoker inhale what is known as
"second-hand smoke" - the unfiltered, poisonous
waste that goes in the air around the smoker. There
are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, over 40 of
which are known to cause cancer. Second-hand smoke
causes or aggravates asthma, bronchitis, and other
respiratory problems, especially in children.
3. Addictive
The addiction to tobacco is a physical response that often
interferes with one's life and worship. For example,
most Muslims are aware that it is forbidden to smoke during
the fasting days of Ramadan. Many of these addicted
smokers spend their fasting days sleeping, cranky, and
short-tempered, just counting the hours until they can have
their fix. There have been times when the most severely
addicted will wait outside the masjed door for the adhan,
and break their fast by lighting up, before taking even food
or water.
4. Noxious Smell
Muslims are advised to refrain from eating raw onions and
garlic - simply as a courtesy to those around them.
Nobody likes the smell. The same goes even more so for
the reek of cigarettes, which permeates everything around
the smoker - hair, clothing, home, car, etc. The Prophet
(peace be upon him) said: Whoever has eaten from such
greens as garlic, onions or leek should keep away from our
mosque. Many smokers try to hide the smell by using breath
mints or perfume. This does not get rid of the smell,
it only masks it. Often the combination of smells is
even more nauseating.
5. Waste of Money
Allah says, "...But spend not wastefully (your wealth)
in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are
brothers of the devils... {Surah al-Israa 17:26-27} And in
an authentic hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him) said
that: "Allah hates for you three things: gossiping,
begging, and wasting money." In the U.S. and other
countries, cigarettes are taxed heavily in order to
discourage this habit and reimburse the government for the
overwhelming health care costs to care for those afflicted
with diseases caused by smoking. Smokers often spend
thousands of dollars a year that literally just go up in
smoke.
Recent Opinions of Scholars
In more recent times, as these dangers of tobacco use have
come to be proven beyond any doubt, scholars have become
more unanimous in pronouncing tobacco use clearly haram
(forbidden) to believers. They now use the strongest
terms to condemn this habit.
How to Quit?
As mentioned, one of the dangers of tobacco is that it is so
addicting. It causes a physical response in your body when
you try to give it up. Therefore, quitting is often
difficult. However, with the help of Allah and the personal
commitment to improve yourself for the sake of Allah, and
for your own health, it is possible. It is first
recommended to make the firm intention, from deep in your
heart, to give up this evil habit. Trust in Allah's words:
"...When you have taken a decision, put your trust in
Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in
Him. If Allah help you, none can overcome you; if He
forsakes you, who is - after that - that can help you?
In Allah, then, let believers put their trust" (Surah
Al-'lmran 3:159-160).
Secondly, one must avoid situations where you are used to
smoking, and people who do so around you. For example,
if you have certain friends who gather together and they all
constantly smoke - make a choice (Allah gave you free will
to choose!) to stay away from that environment for the time
being. At a vulnerable stage, it is too easy to get
sucked back in by mhaving "just one."
Remember, tobacco causes a physical addiction and you must
stay away completely. Drink a lot of water and keep
yourself busy in other endeavors. Go to the masjed.
Play sports. And remember the words of Allah:
"And those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will
certainly guide them to Our Paths, for verily Allah is with
those who do right (Surah al-Ankabut 29:69).
For more information about the proven dangers of smoking,
and advice on how to quit, visit About.com's Smoking
Cessation website.
Living With a Smoker
If you live with or are friends with smokers, first of all
encourage them to quit, for the sake of Allah, their deen,
and their health. If they refuse (and ultimately we
will face Allah alone), you have the right to protect your
own health and the health of your children. Do not
allow it in the house. Do not allow it in enclosed
quarters with your family. Even if the smoker is a parent,
we are not to obey our parents in things which are forbidden
by Allah. ____
|
Question
to ponder: "Imagine
if you can live by the grace of Allah up eighty years of your
age. When you're at seventy five, what kind of health would
you like to have and what would it take for you to achieve
that reality?"
