The Ruling on Qat and Cigarette Smoking, and Keeping Company With Those Who Use Them

Question :

What is the ruling on qat and cigarettes, the use of which has become widespread among some Muslims?

And what is the ruling on keeping company with those who use one or both of them? And what is incumbent upon the head of the family regarding his son who uses either of these two things?

Answer:

There is no doubt regarding the forbiddance of qat and cigarettes due their many harmful effects, the narcotic effect of them at times, and the intoxicating effect of them at times, as explained by the reliable people who know about them (i.e., doctors, medical researchers etc.). And the scholars have written many works regarding their prohibition, including our most learned Shaikh, Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al Ash-Shaikh, the former Mufti of these Saudi lands- may Allah have mercy on him.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon a Muslim to abandon them, and to stay away from them, and it is not permissible to sell them, nor buy them, nor trade in them, and their price is forbidden and (is considered) ill-gotten wealth. We ask Allah to protect the Muslims from them.

It is also not allowed to keep company with those who use them or other kinds of intoxicants. This is because that is a cause of one falling into using them, and it is incumbent upon the Muslim wherever he may be to keep company with good people and to avoid the company of evil people. The Prophet compared a righteous companion to one carries musk, saying:
"Either he would give you some, or you would buy it from him, or you would smell its pleasant odor, and as for the blacksmith, he would either burn your clothes or you would get some of its smell."

And he said:
"A person is upon the religion of his companion, so each of you should look at those with whom he keeps company.

The head of the household is required to forbid those who use these things, even if it is necessary to beat him and discipline him, or expel him from the house until he repents. And Allah, Most Glorified has said:
"So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can."

And He, the Almighty, the All-Powerful said:
"and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him."

May Allah improve the situation of the Muslims and grant them success in achieving that which improves them and improves their families, verily, He is the Best One to ask.