Does smoking break the fast? This question often arises every month of Ramadan. Many people still doubt whether smoking cigarettes can break the fast or not. Some people consider cigarettes not to be food or drink, so they do not break the fast. However, there are also those who argue the opposite. So, what is the Islamic view on this? What is the evidence to explain it? Check out the following review to find out the answer.
The Law of Smoking in Islam
In Islam, the law of whether smoking breaks the fast is still debated among scholars. Most scholars agree that cigarettes do more harm than good. Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 195, “Spend in the way of Allah, do not plunge yourself into destruction, and do good. Indeed, Allah loves those who do good.
This verse teaches us to avoid things that are detrimental to ourselves, including maintaining our health. Maintaining one’s health is a way of not plunging oneself into destruction. Smoking has adverse effects on health. Therefore, many scholars consider it an act that should be abandoned.
Does smoking break the fast?
The scholars have a clear view on the law of smoking while fasting. The majority of scholars from the Shafi’i, Hanafi, Maliki, and Hambali schools of thought state that smoking breaks the fast. Scholars argue that inhaling cigarette smoke is similar to eating and drinking, because cigarettes have substances that enter the body and have certain effects.
Cigarettes contain nicotine which can inhibit saliva production, causing the mouth to become drier and thirst to appear faster. In addition, nicotine is also a mild diuretic that accelerates the loss of fluid in the body. As a result, the body becomes dehydrated faster, so smokers will feel thirsty more often. The combination of these effects makes smoking not only harmful to health but also increases discomfort, especially when fasting.
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Arguments for whether smoking invalidates the fast
There are several arguments used by scholars to explain that smoking invalidates the fast. One of them is Imam Ibn Hajar Al-Haitami in the book Tuhfatul Muhtaj who mentions that something that enters the body through an open cavity, including cigarette smoke, can invalidate the fast. Cigarette smoke is inhaled through the mouth and lungs, so it is considered similar to putting something into the body. This is the main reason why smoking can break the fast.
Allah says, ”…. Eat and drink until the white thread and the black thread are clear to you, which is dawn. Then complete the fast until nightfall. However, do not interfere with them when you are in seclusion in the mosque. Those are the limits of Allah. So do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His verses to mankind that they may be mindful.” (Surat Al-Baqarah: 187)
This verse explains that when fasting, we are prohibited from eating and drinking until the time of breaking the fast. Scholars consider that smoking cigarettes has the same effect as eating and drinking, so it falls under the category of breaking the fast.
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The View of Scholars of Different Schools of Thought on Whether Smoking Cancels the Fast
Scholars from various schools of thought have almost uniform opinions regarding smoking while fasting. Here are some of their views:
- Shafi’i School
- Imam Nawawi in the book Al-Majmu’ states that everything that enters the body deliberately can break the fast. Cigarettes fall into this category because the smoke enters the body.
- Hanafi School
- Hanafi scholars also argue that cigarettes break the fast because the smoke that is inhaled contains particles that enter the throat and lungs.
- Maliki school
- In the Maliki school, smoking is considered to break the fast because there are substances from cigarettes that enter the body and provide pleasure like food.
- Hambali school
- Imam Ahmad bin Hambal stated that everything that enters the body and has an effect similar to eating and drinking can break the fast, including cigarettes.
From the views of these scholars, we can conclude that the majority of scholars agree that cigarettes break the fast.
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Why should you avoid smoking while fasting?
Apart from breaking the fast, smoking also has many negative impacts on health and worship. One of the main reasons is that it reduces the reward of fasting. Fasting is not only about resisting hunger and thirst, but also about protecting oneself from bad habits. Smoking is considered unhealthy and not very beneficial, so it can reduce the perfection of worship. In addition, cigarettes contain harmful substances such as nicotine and tar which can damage the lungs. In fact, Ramadan should be a moment for detoxifying the body, not the other way around.
Smoking while fasting can also cause dehydration. Cigarette smoke makes the throat dry and increases the risk of fluid loss, making the body feel weaker throughout the day. In addition, smoking can disturb the comfort of others who are fasting. The smell of cigarette smoke can disturb those who want to worship solemnly. Therefore, Ramadan can be the best time to start reducing or even quitting smoking for better health and quality of worship.
What if someone smokes accidentally?
If someone smokes because they forgot that they were fasting, their fast is still valid. This is in accordance with the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad “If someone eats or drinks because they forgot, then let them complete their fast, because indeed Allah has given them food and drink” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim).
However, if someone smokes on purpose, their fast is broken and they must make it up on another day after Ramadan.
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Tips for Quitting Smoking in the Month of Ramadan
The month of Ramadan can be the right time to quit smoking. If it’s difficult to quit immediately, try gradually reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke every day. Quitting this habit slowly can help the body adjust without experiencing severe side effects. Also, replacing smoking with other activities can also be a solution. When the urge to smoke arises, try reading the Qur’an, doing zikir, or doing light exercise to keep your mind focused on more useful things.
Drinking lots of water at suhoor and iftar can also help reduce the effects of nicotine addiction and keep the body fresh during fasting. Water helps remove toxins from the body, including harmful substances from cigarettes. In addition, getting support from family and friends is very important in the process of quitting smoking. Those closest to you can provide motivation to remain consistent in undergoing this change. With strong determination and the right steps, Ramadan can be a good start to giving up cigarettes for better health.
Increase Taqwa and Physical Health During the Month of Ramadan
Does smoking break the fast? The answer is yes. According to the majority of scholars, smoking can break the fast because the smoke enters the body and has an effect like eating and drinking. In addition, cigarettes also have a negative impact on health, not only on one’s own health but also on the health of those around us. Ramadan can be the best time to reduce or even quit smoking. May we be able to fast properly and receive blessings from Allah SWT. Aamiin.
