Tobacco smoking Flashcards
Give some stats from the world health organisation about Muslims and smoking.
A fifth of the world’s population is Muslim and most of them live in areas where smoking is prevalent.
Smoking in Europe seems to be more common among Muslims - 40% in Bangladeshi men compared to only 24% of men in the general population
What is the issue with the Qur’an and tobacco smoking?
It says nothing specific about tobacco smoking. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad cigarettes were not available and therefore the Qur’an and Hadith say nothing directly about smoking.
How does Kham’r apply to tobacco smoking?
Nicotine is considered an intoxicant - addiction to cigarettes covers the awareness that one might ordinarily have when not addicted, covers one’s reasoning.
Give Muhammad’s quote about Kham’r.
“Every intoxicant is Kham’r so every intoxicant is Haram”
What is the difference between orthodox Muslims and Shari’a on smoking?
Orthodox Muslims will consider intoxicants haram. Nicotine is considered an intoxicant. But there is no direct law under Shari’a that prevents tobacco smoking.
What Qur’anic quote suggests you shouldn’t contribute to your own demise?
“And spend of your substance in the cause of god, and make not your own hands contribute to your own destruction.”
What Qur’anic quote suggests you shouldn’t harm yourself?
“…and do not harm yourselves.”
Give the Qur’an quote which suggests that you shouldn’t waste your money on smoking.
“And do not spend wastefully. Indeed the wasteful are brothers of the devil…”
Give the Qur’an quote which suggests we should use our reason to determine that smoking is wrong.
“Indeed the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason.”
Give the quote which suggests that there may be some benefits to smoking.
“About wine and gambling. Say: ‘ In them is great sin and benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit’”
What is the ruling in Saudi Arabia on tobacco smoking?
The smoking, growing and trading of tobacco is haram.
What teachings have influenced the Saudi Arabia approach to smoking?
Muhammad said that ‘Do not harm yourself or others’ and as smoking does, as shown by WHO, then it is banned. Also, in the Qur’an, God says that Muhammad said - ‘enjoins upon them which is good and pure, and forbids them that which is unwholesome’
What is the approach to tobacco smoking in Egypt and why?
Prohibited - “And spend of your substance in the cause of God, and make not your own hands contribute to your own destruction” - WHO have shown that it destroys the self.
What is the approach to tobacco smoking in South East Asian countries and why?
Lawful but discouraged - “In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit”
