A:
Tobacco is a harmful substance. It is not permissible to smoke or sell it, for when Allah (Exalted be He) makes something unlawful, He also makes its price unlawful. You have to repent to Allah (Exalted be He) for dealing in it. You should sell only lawful articles which are good and useful. Whoever leaves an unlawful thing for the sake of Allah, He will compensate him with that which is better. Also, it is not permissible to let young people gather at your shop and abandon Salah and it is obligatory for you to shut your shop and go to the Masjid according to the Saying of Allah (Exalted be He):
O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allâh. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers.
Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Whoever hears the call (to Salah) and he did not come to it, then there is no (reward for the) Salah for him except with an excuse.
(Part No. 13; Page No. 64) It was said to
Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): What is the excuse? He replied: Fear or disease. In addition, it is authentically reported that
A blind man came to the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah, I have no one to guide me to the Masjid (mosque). He, therefore, asked Allah's Messenger's (peace be upon him) permission to perform prayers in his house. He (the Prophet) granted him permission. Then, when the man turned away he (peace be upon him) called him, and said: Do you hear the call to prayer? He said: Yes. He (the Prophet then) said: Respond to it.
(Related by Imam
Muslim in his Sahih).
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.