Q: What is the ruling on cigarettes and hookah? Is it Haram (prohibited) to smoke them or just Makruh (disliked)? If smoking is Haram, please provide evidence for that from the Qur'an and Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). What is the ruling on a Muhrim (pilgrim in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) who smokes cigarettes or hookah? Provide evidence with the answer. Thanks.

A: Smoking cigarettes and hookah is Haram due to the harm it entails. (Part No. 22; Page No. 205) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm." Smoking is bad and unlawful; and Allah (Exalted be He) 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) Also, spending money on these things is extravagance that Allah (Exalted be He) has forbidden, saying: But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. A Muslim whom Satan drags to smoke cigarettes or hookah is doing a bad thing that requires them to make Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and seek forgiveness. May Allah (Exalted be He) forgive them and accept their Tawbah. If a Muslim does so during Hajj or `Umrah, neither Hajj nor `Umrah would be invalid.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.