Selling cigarettes

Question:-

1. Is the selling of cigarettes prohibited or Haraam? Can Mufti Saheb please explain in detail, the difference between prohibited and Haraam.

2. Is the selling of illegal (the cigarettes that are smuggled into SA without paying customs and taxes) cigarettes allowed?

3. Is the money earned from the selling of legal and illegal cigarettes Na-Ja’iz or Haraam?

4. Is the money earned from selling legal and illegal cigarettes allowed to be donated to Masajid, Madressahs, and Darul Ulooms?

I would greatly appreciate Mufti Saheb to provide a detailed answer/feedback please. May Allah reward Mufti Saheb abundantly in Dunya and Aakhirah.

Answer:-

1. Smoking cigarettes is Makrooh-e-Tahreemi. The same ruling that applies to smoking will be applicable to selling cigarettes, as the Fuqaha have stated that whatever is impermissible to consume, is also impermissible to sell.[1]

2. It is necessary for us, as Muslims, to abide by the rules and regulations of the country, particularly when the laws of the country do not contradict the Shariah in any way. Also, if a Muslim is caught selling illegal cigarettes, then this will be a means of humiliation, not only upon the businessman but on the Muslim Ummah at large. It is not permissible to bring humiliation upon the Ummah. Hence, it is not correct for a Muslim to sell items that are considered as illegal in terms of the law.

3. The money accrued from selling cigarettes will be Makrooh in both instances as explained above. Not abiding by the law is incorrect, but it will not bear a further consequence on the above-mentioned ruling. [2]

4. The Masaajid, Madaaris and Darul Ulooms are centres of Hidaayat and guidance, hence, 100% Halaal and pure funds should be contributed to these institutes. However, if 51% or more of a person’s income is from Halaal funds, then his income will also be considered as Halaal. Hence, it will be permissible to contribute such funds to Deeni or religious institutes. On the other hand, if majority of a person’s income is from Haraam sources then it will not be permissible for Deeni institutes to accept his contributions. However, contaminated wealth definitely has an adverse affect on one’s spirituality.

[1] و  (قوله والتتن إلخ) أقول: قد اضطربت آراء العلماء فيه، فبعضهم قال بكراهته، وبعضهم قال بحرمته، وبعضهم بإباحته، وأفردوه بالتأليف.(الدر المختار 6/459)

والتتن الذي حدث وكان حدوثه بدمشق في سنة خمسة عشر بعد الألف يدعي شاربه أنه لا يسكر وإن سلم له فإنه مفتر وهو حرام لحديث أحمد عن أم سلمة قالت نهى رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – عن كل مسكر ومفتر. (الدر المختار 6/460)

2وصح بيع غير الخمرمما مر، ومفاده صحة بيع الحشيشة والأفيون.

قلت: وقد سئل ابن نجيم عن بيع الحشيشة هل يجوز؟ فكتب لا يجوز، فيحمل على أن مراده بعدم الجواز عدم الحل.(الدر المختار 6/454)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 24 Rajab 1444 / 15 February 2023