Powerful
arguments based on the Quran & Sunnah
from Dr. Ibrahim B. Syed
Cigarette
smoking is the most widespread example of drug dependence
in the United States and in all the Islamic countries
as well.
The U.S.
Surgeon General's Office considers cigarette smoking
to America's worst drug addiction problem.
Medical investigations show that cigarette smoking
is a major factor in the development of many cases
of cancer, heart trouble, chronic lung and respiratory
disease and other ailments.
Smoking
causes more illness and death than all other drugs.
Cigarette
smoking in pregnant women results in deleterious health
effects on their newborn children. These findings
and the revelations in the Holy Qur'an clearly discourages
smoking of tobacco by Muslims. Hence smoking is 'not
recommended' in Islam.
Smoking
and its Health Effects
It is
very well known that cigarette smoking is the most
widespread example of drug dependence in the United
States. A pamphlet released by the U.S. Surgeon General's
Office entitled "Why People Smoke Cigarettes"
calls cigarette smoking America's worst drug addiction
problem. It involves addiction to the drug nicotine
in tobacco and possible other tobacco substances.
Like many
other drugs, the chemicals in cigarette affect the
chemistry of the brain and nervous system and create
dependence and lead to compulsive use.
More than
56 million Americans and multiple scores of millions
more in other nations, including Islamic nations
are hooked on cigarettes in the same way as caffeine
addicts are hooked on caffeine. A major reason why
sales continue at high levels despite widespread public
knowledge about the health hazards is the addictive
nature of cigarettes.
Most people
start smoking just to conform to peer or social
pressures. They get a feeling of "grown up."
They find smoking (nicotine) at first acts as a stimulant.
Later they find they need to smoke as a tranquilizer.
These
smokers develop a level of tolerance and bodily adjustment
to nicotine. If this level of nicotine is not maintained
in their blood, they will experience uncomfortable
physical-psychological dependence problems.
These
uncomfortable feelings are classic drug withdrawal
symptoms. Addictive drugs are psychoactive which create
brain and nervous system dependence and lead to compulsive
use. Abrupt discontinuation leads to physiological
and psychological distress.
The
withdrawal symptoms are headache, stomach discomfort,
nervousness, irritability, sweating, change in heart
and blood pressure and lower excretion of some hormones
affecting the nervous system.
The former
U.S. Surgeon General, C. Everett Coop, says, "Cigarette
smoking is clearly identified as the chief preventable
cause of death (340,000 deaths per year in U.S.A.).
In our society it is a major factor in the development
of many cases of cancer, heart trouble, chronic lung
and respiratory diseases and other ailments. Smoking
causes more illnesses and death than all the other
drugs."(5)
Smoking
and Islam
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 smelling "like
a cigarette ash-tray." In the Quran, God
says:
"And
forbid them what is bad." - Surah Al-'Araf, 7:157
"0
ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling are an abomination
of Satan's handiwork. Eschew such abominations that
ye may prosper." - Surah Al Ma'idah, 5:93
The
word intoxicant has three meanings:
(1) To
induce, especially the effect of ingested alcohol.
(2) To
stimulate or excite.
(3) To
poison.
The latter
two meanings are very valid and applicable to nicotine.
Smoking
is nothing but a form of 'slow suicide'. The Qur'an
says:
"And
slay not the life which God hath forbidden..."
- Surah, Al-Isra, 17:33
"And
make not your own hands contribute to your destruction."
- Surah, Al-Baqara, 2:195
"Nor
kill or destroy yourselves for verily God hath been
to you most Merciful."
Surah, An-Nisa, 4:29
Prophet
Mohammed has said:
"Nor
be hurt or injure others." It is scientifically
proven that the exhaled smoke of the smoker is hazardous
to non-smokers around him.
The amount
of money a smoker spends on cigarette smoking in a
period of 30 years is calculated to be Two Hundred
Thousand Dollars or more. All this money is simply
wasted (not including the money spent on smoker's
health care).
God says:
"But
squander not your wealth in the manner of a spend
thrift, verily spendthrifts are brothers of evils."
- Surah, Al-Isra, 17:26, 27
The Christians
consider the human body to be a sacred trust
given to man by God because it contains the spirit
breathed into it by God. Even the Qur'an says
"So,
when I have made him and have breathed unto him of
My spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves
unto him." - Surah, Al-Hijr, 15:29.
Hence
the physical body should not be polluted or injured
or destroyed in any way by smoking or taking of alcohol
or any type of habit-forming drugs.
Conclusion
For
the foregoing reasons and for reasons considered elsewhere,
smoking should be discouraged and finally banned in
all Islamic countries.
All
smoking Muslims should give up this unhealthy
and un-Islamic activity. The best way to give it up
is to stop all smoking completely. Tapering
off on the amount one smokes does not work for most
people.
It
is not easy to quit suddenly, but it is presently
the most successful way. There are many ways and techniques
available for a serious minded person to give up smoking.
For the Muslims who sincerely practice Islam and who
submit themselves to the Will of God, this should
not be a difficult task.
Shukran
for Your Kindness in visiting our site on Smoking
and the Harmful effects of Smoking in Islam,
Dr.
Rashid M. H.
~~~~~----------~~~~~
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