Hookah / Sheesha (Shisha) Smoking: Safer than Cigarettes? Haram or Halal?
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Identifier: http://muslimmatters.org/2008/03/17/hookah-sheesha-shisha-smoking-safer-than-cigarettes/
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Subject: islamization
Title: Hookah / Sheesha (Shisha) Smoking: Safer than Cigarettes? Haram or Halal?
Created on: Fri Sep 05 13:46:32 -0400 2008
Updated on: Fri Sep 05 13:46:32 -0400 2008
Version: 1
Abstract: ... 8217;t in the few months since, alhamdulillah. I’ve always wondered about the health effects of shisha, especially since I grew up with parents who were cigarette smokers and I’ve always made it a point not to start that habit. The one thing that does strike me is that, at least in my experience (being your average white American and so I can’t really comment on Muslims in particular or immigrants; most of the people who smoke at the bars here are white college students), people who smoke shisha tend to do so socially and not addictively. I used to smoke once a month or so and now I do so maybe once every few months; most people I know prefer to go out to bars to do it, which can be prohibitively expensive, so they only do it max once a week or so and aren’t physically addicted to it (they can stop when they can’t afford it). Versus growing up with people who are addicted to cigarettes, I know what cigarette addiction looks like, and what a three-pack-a-day habit looks like. I’m just wondering if shisha isn’t considered preferable by some because it’s more of a social thing (at least among white Americans) and not an actual physical addiction, and because it tends to be indulged in much, much less often than most cigarette habits (even if we say the average cigarette smoker only smokes a pack a day, a hookah a month has to be somewhat less damaging). -March 17th, 2008 at 7:29 pm Meghan Rose said: Also, another thing that I think might cause some to consider it preferable to cigarettes is that a lot of shisha smokers I know don’t actually inhale - they just do it for the taste/social experience and avoid actually taking the smoke into their lungs (at least as much as possible). I’m wondering what the effects are of this compared to a shisha smoker who does inhale, or who smokes more often. Just thinking out loud. Jazakallahkhair! This is a wonderful post and really good information. -March 17th, 2008 at 7:32 pm Aboo Uthmaan said: @ Amad - I remember once sitting in a khutbah that the Shaykh was delivering on smoking cigarettes, after giving all the proofs as to why it is haram he made mention of those who claim such an act is makrooh. The Shaykh said let’s say hypothetically that smoking is makrooh, who is it you are displeasing with this “makrooh” act? -March 17th, 2008 at 7:35 pm Amad (Author) said: salam Meghan, thanks for stopping by. You make some good points. The way I see it… Islam comes to cut off the root of the problem. A cup or two of alcohol won’t kill you either (and actually healthy), but Allah forbade it. Similarly, Allah forbade the coming close to zina… Some people can save themselves, but many couldn’t. So for the society as a whole, Allah forbade those. Now, some people may argue that Allah didn’t forbid smoking… but at the same time they will be ok with saying that cocaine, for instance, is haram. That is due to the principle of Qiyaas (analogy). So, in “new matters” we rely on scholars. Since it seems that most scholars disallow this, we have to just leave it. And as Br. Aboo Uthmaan said, and I am guessing that you are aware from your experience, the social experience is usually not that halal either… music, mixing, etc. Alhamdulilah, Allah has given us enough halal socially beneficial and healthy outlets… so lets use them like: Muslim Culture vs. Pop Culture: Halaal Alternatives -March 17th, 2008 at 8:07 pm Meghan Rose said: Amad, thanks for your response. I totally agree…Allah subhanu wa ta’ala is all-knowing and wise. I was responding more from a secular perspective only because I already agree that all mind-altering substances (tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs) are haraam, except when medically necessary, and I was really particularly interested in shisha vs. cigarettes and the health issues involved just because this particular perspective is new to me. Thanks so much for the Halaal Alternatives link! That is really helpful for me, as a new revert -March 17th, 2008 at 8:37 pm Ammar Diwan said: I think some clarification is needed. There are definitely top reliable and God-fearing scholars who consider smoking makruh. HOWEVER, if any harm is caused, the ruling is that of makruh tahriman (Sinful & Borderline haram). And who said doing things that are makruh tahriman is okay. The scholars who rule smoking is makruh tahriman ALSO rule that makruh tahriman is worthy of punishment in the hereafter and if it goes unrepented and God decides not to forgive one, it is worthy of time in Hellfire. So I suggest people who keep saying “it’s makruh yo” go and read up on what the ruling really is, and what it implies. Secondly, the scholars who rule it as makruh tahriman when harm is caused (Which is true in most cases) canNOT be looked down upon. They certainly have there proofs, and they are quite strong despite what most people think. In conclusion, it is permissible to hold smoking to be makruh tahriman, and makruh tahriman is worthy of Hellfire, so don’t take it lightly. -March 17th, 2008 at 8:57 pm Amad (Author) said: salam Br. Ammaar, of course no one is saying that the scholars who said it is makruh are not God-fearing. But if you read the attached article, and the opinion from wide spectrum of muftis (including Mufti Desai of Hanafi opinion), they are moving towards haram. Once you lay out the evidences, it is tough to deny it. Also, this is a matter, where it is better and more beneficial to be firmer and “harsher” than to be light… because there is not benefit to be gained in letting people smoke. wallahualam -March 17th, 2008 at 9:22 pm Ammar Diwan said: But the point is the scholars that permit smoking yet hold it to be makruh tahriman also hold makruh tahriman to be sinful, so there is no ‘loophole.’ So either way, if you are a habitual smoker, it is sinful Islamically. -March 17th, 2008 at 9:29 pm Malik said: I don’t understand SA/Arab Muslims when they argue that the Hookah is part of their “Islamic” culture. The Hookah originated in India (OK, so it has some pull for SA Muslims. Forgive the pun). Tabacco was not introduced into Islamic lands until at least a thousand years after Muhammed started the religion when Columbus discovered the Americas (OK, not “discovered” that goes to the East Asian-extracted Natives and the Vikings; but discovered for purposes of permanent trade lines). And it always puzzles me that Muslims will not go near an alcoholic beverage as it is “Haram” but while they are denying it they are chain-smoking on filterless cigarettes that smell awful. Me, My one drug is Caffeine and I take it in Coffee form. And lots of it. -March 17th, 2008 at 9:33 pm Ammar Diwan said: This is the most lenient fatwa in the realm of valid and reliable ones: http://www.daruliftaa.com/question.asp?txt_QuestionID=q-14175250 Again, I definitely do not promote smoking, I’m just laying out both sides. Given the evidence and taking into account all fatwas, I urge everyone to leave tobacco in all its forms ASAP. -March 17th, 2008 at 9:34 pm Faiez said: JAZAKALLAHU KHAYR. This is one myth that needs dispelling. -March 17th, 2008 at 11:49 pm aamna said: I have been a strong advocate against the tobacco company and when i saw a rise in the popularity of hookah i was disgusted by how much all these people were fooling themselves. Long time ago people thought weed, cigarettes, alcohol were all good them… and they’ve continiusly been proven wrong… how many examples do people need before they make the right decision?? andd i wanted to add some info ->average puff on a waterpipe = 500 ml of smoke, while the average puff on a cigarette = 50 ml of smoke. -> A hookah smoker =100 puffs with a waterpipe (i.e., in a single 30-45 minute session) while a cigarette smoker = 10 puffs. ->STILL produces SECOND HAND SMOKE which is still harmful to those around you and my general rule of thumb is… any kind of smoke that you inhale is bound not to be good for you. -March 18th, 2008 at 12:31 am mcpagal said: Jazakallah for the article! I’ve been trying to tell family and friends this stuff for ages but they actually get angry if you criticise sheesha (sign of addiction I guess!). They’re adamant that a) sheesha doesn’t have nicotine or anything harmful like tobacco, b) the water filters everything to make it less concentrated, and c) any damage it does to your lungs is reparable. It’s good to have hard facts and statistics on your side! -March 18th, 2008 at 8:02 am AnonyMouse (Author) said: All smoking is yucky! Seriously though, I’m dead set against smoking of any type because my grandpa used to smoke a LOT - since the age of 13! - and his lungs were/ are terrible… alHamdulillaah since his heart attack he was forced to stop ‘cuz the doctors told him straight up that if he started smoking again, they wouldn’t even let him near the hospital. But I really wish it didn’t take something so drastic to make him (and others) stop! Just like mujrahs and qawalis are “islamic” too! Uhhhh, what are mujrahs and qawalis? -March 18th, 2008 at 7:25 pm mcpagal said: Qawali’s are those songs right? Usually sung by overweight uncles, accompanied by an accordion thing and a drum and stuff. Probably an acquired taste. -March 18th, 2008 at 7:43 pm SisterBasmah said: Tight post. I copy and pasted it into a Facebook note. =) -March 19th, 2008 at 3:12 am khawla said: Jazzakumulahu khayr for posting this br Amad. Recently, on our travel through a US airport, my husband and I saw a Muslim sister alone in a very crowded smoking-room full of non-Muslim men smoking and puffing away with them. If it wasn’t due to her full hijab and jilbab, we wouldn’t have known she’s a Musli... [Full Article...]
