So far as the use of tobacco is concerned, it may not be as seriously forbidden as the wine but its use is decidedly a vice, and a Muslim should avoid it as far as possible.  We reproduce below English renderings of an extract from the famous book of Shaikh Yusuf al-Qardawi entitled al-Halal wa’l Haram:

           “The general rule of the Shari’ah is that it is not permissible for a Muslim to use anything in the form of food or drink which endangers his life-the process of his precipitating to death may be quick or slow –A Muslim is not the master of his being...  His life, health and wealth are bestowed upon him by Allah, so it is not permissible for him to do anything which may harm him.”

The Holy Qur’an says:

         “And let not your own hands throw you into destruction.” (2:195)

            It is in the light of these observations that one can say that smoking is prohibited especially in case of a person who has been warned by a physician (of its serious effects upon his health).  One thing is, however, clear about it that smoking involves sheer waste of wealth and there lies no good in it, whether of the world or of the Hereafter.  Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has forbidden the squandering of wealth.”

            Modern researches have clearly shown that smoking benumbs the brain and nerves.  When a man is tired or worried, he smokes and at once feels much rested.  The facts are that he really does not feel better but rather he does not feel at all, because the tobacco has benumbed, his brain and nerves, so he no longer feels the pain and discomfort of tiredness or worry.

            Smoking brings about a number of chest diseases.  Tobacco causes a very poisonous substance called nicotine which is highly detrimental to human health.  It causes cancer of lungs, qualm of veins, palpitation of heart, eye disease, weakness of organs of respiration, tuberculosis, weakness of brain, cough, rheum, weakness of memory, ulcer of stomach, sexual weakness and various skin diseases.

            Tobacco also contains another poisonous substance that is found in cigarettes and is called cidicianidric which is not less harmful than the former poisonous substance.  Tobacco whether it is used in the form of smoke or snuff or taken for nicotine, causes one and the same result-all the harms mentioned above.  The smoker kills himself, directly or indirectly, gradually by means of the poisons that he snuffs for hours together, and which he ejects into his blood-veins, heart, lungs and brain.

            The matter of fact is that there is nothing despicable like the use of tobacco which is in use in the entire world.  Particularly the whole world is addicted to smoking despite having the knowledge of its harms and extravagance that it involves.

            We seek refuge in Allah against the blind pursuit of covetousness and obeisance of Satan, the Devil.

            It should be borne in mind that every game that brings about profit without anything paid in exchange, which involves usurpation of people’s wealth without any justification, is unlawful like gambling with all its kinds : cartesa jouer, lottery etc.  Similarly every activity which entails the loss of wealth and usurpation of the property of people without any legal authority, is unlawful.  Devouring the property of people by lame pretexts and foul means also comes within the purview of unlawful pursuits.

            We seek refuge in Allah against the accursed Satan.