Is smoking Sheesha/Huqqah permissible? - Mufti Zahid Hussain al-Qadri

Discussion in 'Hanafi Fiqh' started by Aqdas, Aug 30, 2018.

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  1. kattarsunni

    kattarsunni Veteran

    And the same is stated by Imam Ahmad Rida in 'Ajla alA'lam bi annal Fatwa Mutlaqan ala Qawlil Imam' that rulings change is one of six reasons. And he also lists those reasons.

    Muft Nizam alDin mentions those reasons as being seven, that being one of the six is in reality two. (He has a work on the issue).
     
  2. abu Hasan

    abu Hasan Administrator

    this is a good example of how rulings change with time; and how later muftis can revise the opinions of previous ulama. this does not constitute of disrespecting their opinion or dissenting from such great ulama; nor does this mean we consider ourselves more knowledge than them. it is just that we have data and empirical evidence which those ulama did not have access to.

    all these opinions (like smoking tobacco etc) are handed down by our elders - and were valid in their age. the basis of these rulings was that tobacco was another plant, and its smoke was like fumes from oud (fragrant wood) except that it caused a distasteful smell in the mouth. and the basic principle is that of ibaHah.

    previous and senior ulama are not to be blamed, for the knowledge upon which the ruling of ibaHah has changed only in the last 30 years. even as recent as fifty years ago, cigarettes were promoted as a health item EVEN in the western world.

    ---
    but times have changed. today we know that tobacco is harmful and is the major cause of mouth cancer, lung cancer and many other diseases. there is overwhelming evidence on the harmfulness of tobacco (chewing, smoking, smelling) and the fact that it is addictive. even a common people with ordinary education know the harms of smoking.

    merely citing earlier ulama in this issue is not sufficient. muftis in our age should take a second look and tobacco/smoking should be ruled haram in our time. we cannot just copy an opinion from the previous times when these challenges did not exist.

    ---
    and wa lillahi'l Hamd, this can be proved from the writings of sayyidi abdu'l Ghani an-nablusiy himself - who was incidentally aggressive in the refutation of those who considered it haram in his time and vehement in his advocating that tobacco is mubaH.

    sub'HanAllah.

    wa billahi't tawfiq.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2011
  3. ghulam-e-raza

    ghulam-e-raza Well-Known Member

    Question: Is smoking Sheesha/Huqqah permissible?

    Answer:

    Wa Alaykum Al-Salam,

    The usage of the Huqqah (also known as sheehsha and water pipe) can be permissible and can be impermissible, depending on it's contents (substance). If tobacco is used, which does not have the capibility of intoxicating a person to such an extent that the person would not know what he utters and stumbles whilst walking, it is permissible and there is no reason to regard it as not permissible or haram. In Al-Hadeeqah Al-Nadiyyah, Allamah Abd Al-Ghani Al-Nablusi writes, "From amongst the generally practiced innovations is the usage of the Huqqah and the drinking of coffee which is common amongst the general and specific public in todays time. The truth is that there is no reason for it's hurmah (regarding it haram) and neither for it's karahah (regarding it makrooh). In Al-Durr Al-Mukhtar it is regarded the same as onions and garlic. Ibn Abideen comments on it, "Which is permissibility in the chosen school". Imam Ahmad Tahtawi and Allamah Ab Al-Sa'ood write in it's foot notes regarding the comparison of it with onions and garlic, "it is not hidden that the karahah is minor (tanzeehi) which is permissible".

    Today many Scholars have discovered many disadvantages of smoking tobacco and therefore regarded it as severely disliked or haram. Although these opinons are based on assumptions and far from the correct opinion for mere assumptions and estimations are not enough to establish something as severely disliked or haram in Islamic Fiqh, it is still better to refrain from unnecessary consumption.

    As for smoking a substance that has the capability to intoxicate a person to an extent where he does not know of what he utters and stumbles whilst walking is impermissible, regardless of its quantity.

    For more information on the Huqqah, one should refer to Huqqah Al-Marjaan Li-Muhimm Hukm Al-Dukkhaan written by Imam Ahmad Raza (Allah is pleased with him).

    And Allah knows best.

    Zahid Hussain Al-Qadri
    (Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)

    http://thesunniway.com/askmufti-database/food/is-smoking-sheesha-permissible
     

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