Poison Control: Fatwa on smoking should be followed for the good of all 

The Grand Mufti of Egypt recently announced an Islamic ruling (fatwa) that smoking is haram (forbidden). While this is not new for Malaysia, it is indeed a timely reminder to revisit a similar fatwa passed 5 years ago (March 23, 1995) by the National Fatwa Committee for Islamic Affairs.

In a similar vein, the World Health Organization, Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (Emro), has expressed the same viewpoint in a publication entitled 'Islamic Ruling on Smoking'.

The WHO sought opinions from 10 very prominent Muslim scholars on the issue of smoking, among them is Shiekh Gadul Haq Ali Gadul Haq, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, who said, "It has become abundantly clear that, sooner or later, smoking, in whatever form and by whatever means, causes extensive health and financial damage to smokers. It is also the cause of a variety of diseases. Consequently, and on this evidence alone, smoking would be forbidden and should in no way be practised by Muslims.

Furthermore, the obligation to preserve one's health and wealth, as well as that of society as a whole, and medical evidence now available on the dangers of smoking, further support this view."

Others are more direct. For example, Dr Hamid Jamie, former Secretary of Al-Azhar University, and consultant to Islamic Fiqh Encyclopedia in Kuwait, was quoted, "The Islamic ruling which one feels most happy about and which leave our conscience clear is smoking is haram. It is not wholesome due to its foul taste, bad smell and the serious health risks it causes." More succinctly, the Chairman of Hadith Studies Department, Faculty of Theology, Al-Azhar University put it as, "Since the damage caused by smoking to human life is so evident, there is no doubt that it is haram."

Foremost in arguing that smoking is haram, is the health risks. This column has on several occassions alluded to this. The link between smoking and cancer as well as other diseases are no longer in dispute.

Secondly, the smoke released from smoking is not only annoying and irritating, but has been shown to be cancer-causing even to non-smokers. The Prophet Muhammad alludes to this: "Let him keep away from us; let him keep away from our mosque; let him stay home; he whose breath reeks of garlic and onion".

Although garlic and onion are lawful food in Islam, still Islam reminds those who ate them not to annoy others by their offensive smell.

Thirdly, it is quite clear that the money spent on smoking is wasteful, a habit abhorrent in Islam.

On being extravagance and wasteful, the Quran is explicit (6:141, 7:31, 17:27).

Reinforcing these arguments are three major Quranic verses. One, assert that what is good and pure is to be considered lawful, while those that are bad and impure is to be prohibited (7:157). Undoubtedly, smoking is physically impure since in just one stick of cigarette there are about 4,000 chemicals, some poisonous and carcinogenic. It also has an addictive properties at par with that of heroin.

The Quran too enjoins people not to kill themselves (4:29) and not to make their hands contribute to the own destruction (2:195). Clearly by smoking one is commiting the very act specified in the last two verses.

All these too are not new to Muslims and jurists in Malaysia. As early as in 1989, for instance, the Kelantan State Islamic Affairs Department published a booklet 'Mengapa Islam Melarang Merokok' (Why Islam Prohibits Smoking , by Abdullah Alqari Hj Salleh) listing 10 reasons why this is so.

Though some are identical to those mentioned above, the fact that there are more reasons makes it even more convincing. So is an article in published in the May 1995 issue of 'Suara Masjid Negara' - a newsletter of the National Mosques.

The chairman and members of the Saudi Committee of Academic Research and Fatwa unanimously noted in the WHO Emro publication: "In view of the harm caused by tobacco, growing, trading in and smoking of tobacco are judged to be haram." This is in line with the International Islamic Conference to Combat Intoxicating Substances and Drugs held in 22-25 March 1982, Medina, where it was declared that smoking, growing and trading in tobacco is haram.

The 1999 World Bank Report - Curbing the Epidemic - lays down the bank's policy on tobacco, since 1991: it is prohibited from lending to tobacco industry and encourages control efforts (http://www.globalink.org/tobacco/wb/).

Thus, in conjunction with its 5th anniversary, the question that must be clarified: what has become of the fatwa?

Though, some may still insist that there are practical problems in trying to implement such a fatwa, this is not to say that the fatwa must be marginalised.

For those seeking structured solutions, one could easily turn to the Quran for guidance. These are clearly spelt out in its injunctions on the use of alcohol, where it sets out a systematic and methodological approach.

The approach is both rational and gradual, implemented in a step-likewise manner. It is humane but resolute; a worthwhile model in contemplating enforcement of the fatwa on smoking.

It operational terms, it first requires the sensitisation of all, Muslims in particular, on why the fatwa is important to the community as a whole. In short, we must be thoroughly motivated and educated on this issue.

The next step is to deal with the question of addiction, which is probably the major hurdle. The fact that some religious officers themselves are habitual smokers is an important point to recognise as people tend to look at them for behavioural guidance and as role models. Smoking-cessation clinics should be first conducted for religious communities. This can be easily done through the Health Ministry.

All it takes is a systematic implementation of this programme involving the Department of Health and Islamic Affairs Department in each of the State.

Once this is done, the gazetting the fatwa could be contemplated, concurrent with various tobacco control strategies to reduce tobacco consumption and promotion.

Slowly but surely, over time, Muslim individuals and administrations involved in the growing and trading of tobacco or promoting its use will find it within their conscience to look for "greener spiritual pastures." This will eventually break the whole cycle that is gripping the Muslims society, in particular.

But the path is long and challenging. Smokers and their advocates have come to believe in tobacco far too long for any quick solutions, regardless of fatwas.

For more information contact the National Poison Centre at Universiti Sains Malaysia, tel. 04-6570099, fax. 04-6568417 or visit http://prn.usm.my/tobacco.html

Source: The New Sunday Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad
              Sunday, March 26, 2000