What Is the Ruling on Smoking according to the Shafi’i School?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

Most contemporary scholars opine that smoking tobacco is unlawful based on the established evidence that it is harmful. Considering the recent nature of the medical evidence, scholars initially differed regarding its ruling, and some considered it disliked.

Opinions that it is disliked were often expressed before the conclusive medical evidence on the harms of smoking. However, there is no difference of opinion that deliberately inflicting severe harm to oneself without reason is unlawful, and Allah knows best.

 Among the Shafi‘i scholars who considered it unlawful and documented their opinions and proofs are Najm al-Din al-Ghazzi, Qalyubi, Ibn ‘Alan, and others. [Al-Mawsu‘a Al-Fiqhiyya]

Qalyubi, in his Hashiya, discusses the concept of impurity (najasa) in Islamic jurisprudence. It begins by mentioning that najasa encompasses all liquid intoxicants, such as wine made from grapes or raisins. The author emphasises that the term “liquid” is specifically highlighted in this context to distinguish it from substances like hashish and other intoxicating herbs, which are prohibited but are not considered najas (ritually impurity).

The text explains that substances that cause intoxication or cloud the mind are considered impure (najas) even if they are not inherently ritually impure. This is because they impair one’s ability to think clearly and can lead to harmful consequences. The author points out that well-respected scholars have extended this ruling to include well-known substances like tobacco (i.e., smoking) because they argue that it opens the doors to harmful diseases, leads to laxity, and may even cause blindness, as reported by reliable sources. [Qalyubi, Hashiya]

In the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence, the position on smoking is that it is generally considered haram (forbidden). This prohibition is based on the understanding that smoking harms one’s health and may lead to various physical and mental health issues.

The ruling against smoking is derived from the broader principle within the Shafi’i School that anything harmful to the human body is considered impermissible (haram). This includes substances that intoxicate, harm the mind, or have detrimental effects on one’s health. Smoking, known to have adverse health consequences and can lead to addiction, falls into this category. [Qalyubi, Hashiyat]

The prohibition on smoking is not limited to tobacco alone but extends to any substance that can have similar harmful effects. The scholars in the Shafi’i School base this ruling on preserving one’s health and well-being, a significant aspect of Islamic jurisprudence. [ibid]

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. 

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.