Q 9: Is it permissible to offer Salah (Prayer) behind an Imam who smokes? It should be noted that this Imam is not an official Imam. In fact, he is an ordinary person who leads people in Salah being the only one among them who recites the Qur'an well.

A: Smoking is unlawful because it is proved that smoking is harmful to health. (Part No. 7; Page No. 372) It is also considered unlawful because it is considered an evil and involves extravagance. Allah (Exalted be He) when speaking about His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says, ...he allows them as lawful At-Tayyibât (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods), and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods) As for the ruling on offering Salah behind an Imam who smokes, it is as follows: If by not offering Salah behind him, you miss Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer, or congregational Prayer or provoke division among people, then you have to pray behind him and accept the lesser of the two evils. If abandoning Salah behind him can be done without missing Jumu`ah Prayer and congregational prayer and without causing more harm, and by abandoning him it may press him to stop smoking, then some people should do so to prevent him from smoking and to force him to abandon what is unlawful as a means of resisting evil. However, if abandoning Salah behind him does not cause more harm such as missing Jumu`ah Prayer or congregational prayer and he does not stop smoking, then it is better for you to offer Salah behind another Imam who does not commit sins and who is not immoral. This will help you to perfect your Salah and protect your faith.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.