Is Chewing Tobacco Haram?

Tobacco has been around for centuries, maximised by different civilisations and cultures in different ways. Some would use it as a key product in religious and cultural rituals, while others utilise it as a cure for toothache, earache, and many more illnesses.

Today, however, tobacco is known to be the primary ingredient of cigarettes and many more similar products. Most of the time, people would smoke cigarettes as a way to relax whenever they are stressed or face situations that require some sort of relief. Unfortunately, the tobacco smoke released by cigarettes is known to harm not only smokers but also other people. In Islamic jurisprudence, cigarettes are considered to be haram.

But what about chewing tobacco? Is it also haram? Continue reading to find out.

Is Chewing Tobacco Haram in Islam?

One of the classic ways of consuming tobacco is through chewing it. Indigenous peoples of the Americas chewed tobacco leaves long before Europeans arrived and used them to smoke. American Indian groups, nonetheless, would continue consuming tobacco through chewing as it was known to be more convenient than lighting up a pipe to smoke.

By the late 19th century, chewing tobacco would become one of the main products being released by different tobacco companies in the United States. It is only by the beginning of the 20th century when this particular type of tobacco has declined in popularity due to the rise of cigarette smoking.

Now, smokeless tobacco like chewing tobacco may not be as popular as cigarettes and other forms of tobacco, but it is still consumed by a number of people thanks to its somehow discreet form factor. You don’t even have to produce any smoke, allowing you to enjoy nicotine without bothering others.

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Despite the absence of tobacco smoke, many Islamic scholars would still treat chewing tobacco haram.

You see, most contemporary scholars have deemed smoking cigarettes haram because tobacco products produce harmful substances that can damage the body. One of these substances is nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical and stimulant that can affect the way you perceive things. For instance, it may cause you to develop mood disorders. It can likewise lead to depression.

A ruling from Shariah [Quran 2:195] bans the use of products that may cause harm to your body. Based on this ruling, even non-intoxicants that may damage your body can already be considered haram. Even though nicotine is considered a non-intoxicant, it can still harm you in multiple ways.

Aside from nicotine, tobacco also contains thousands of chemicals, especially if it undergoes combustion. Based on Islamic Law, anything that can harm your body and is not a necessity is considered haram at the very least makruh (disliked).

Generally, research conducted over the past few decades has shown that cigarettes are harmful to one’s health. Consequently, all major schools of Islamic law, including Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki, and Shaafi’i, have imposed varying degrees of bans on smoking.

As for chewing tobacco, many scholars would lean toward declaring it as haram due to its harmful effects and associated issues.

Like cigarettes, chewing tobacco has been found to be attributed to developing diseases like oral cancer, gum disease, and other serious health conditions. Based on the Quranic verse: “Spend in the Way of Allah and do not cast yourselves into destruction with your own hands; do good, for Allah loves those who do good.” [Quran 2:195], Islam strongly emphasizes that you protect your health. Since chewing tobacco can do harm, many scholars believe that you should not use it and consider it haram.

Chewing tobacco is considered markuh (discouraged) based on numerous scholarly opinions. Its addictive nature negates the Islamic ideal of self-control. Moreover, the money spent on purchasing this product is considered israf (wasteful), which is highly discouraged in Islam.

“Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils.” [Quran 17:27]

A lot of contemporary Islamic scholars and health authorities are inclined to declare chewing tobacco haram because of its harmful health risks and associated problems. However, some may categorize it as makruh (discouraged) rather than outright forbidding it.

Is Chewing Tobacco Haram in the Quran?

The ruling regarding chewing such tobacco is often different among contemporary scholars, which also holds true with smoking cigarettes.

Major Arab scholars regard smoking cigarettes to be haram or unlawful, while Hanafi scholars of the Indian subcontinent hold it to be permissible although somewhat disliked (makruh tanzihan). For Hanafi scholars, you can still smoke cigarettes as long as you get rid of the bad smell after.

A number of scholars who believe smoking cigarettes is haram view them as evil as they can cause you harm. For them, Allah has only permitted his Slaves only good kinds of food and drink. He has then forbidden the bad kinds.

“he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods)”[al-A’raaf 7:157] 

Now, regardless of whether you smoke or chew tobacco products, they believe that they can still be detrimental to your health, which is why it is prohibited to handle them in any way. As Muslims, they ask that you give up these things, repent to Allah, regret having committed the sin of consuming tobacco, and resolve to never go back to it.

Major Hanafi scholars, alternatively, have allowed chewing tobacco in the form of naswar or paan.

Naswar is a moist, powdered tobacco dip that is typically consumed in Afghanistan and surrounding countries like Pakistan, India, and neighbouring Central Asian republics. It is often placed on the floor of the mouth under the lower lip or inside the cheek for around 15 to 30 minutes.

While consuming naswar or paan may be detested based on the tobacco contained in the substance, Hanafi scholars still believe that consuming chewing tobacco in this form is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. After all, chewing tobacco consumption doesn’t release smoke and bad smells.

Imam Abd al-Hay al-Lakhnawi (Allah have mercy on him), a great late Hanafi scholar, said in his naf’ al-Mufti wa al-Sa’il (al-Fatawa al-Lakhnawi, p. 379) that it is allowed to consume paan since it contains less tobacco than others. 

Opinions regarding chewing tobacco and other such substances may differ from one scholar to another. But for a definitive ruling regarding the consumption of chewing tobacco, you should seek a knowledgeable scholar who is familiar with your cultural and contextual circumstances. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Muslims chew tobacco?

Although it is not widely practiced, some Muslims do chew tobacco. However, many scholars discourage the practice of chewing tobacco due to the health risks related to tobacco elements. 

Is chewing tobacco halal or haram?

Islam encourages you to preserve your health and discourages you from taking actions that lead to self-destruction. Hence, chewing tobacco is generally considered haram by contemporary Islamic scholars as it can yield harmful effects on health and addiction potential. It also leads to wasteful spending on harmful substances. 

Does chewing tobacco break wudu?

Chewing tobacco doesn’t break wudu as it is a form of stimulant. Just remember to rinse your mouth before praying to fulfill the sunna. 

Is chewing tobacco considered tobacco?

Yes. Chewing tobacco is considered tobacco since it contains the same substances that a cigarette would have. It can produce nicotine and other harmful substances, which can lead to addiction and health issues.

Is chewing tobacco haram Hanafi?

Hanafi scholars don’t treat chewing tobacco haram, particularly if you will be consuming it in the form of naswar or pan. They believe that consuming it is less harmful than smoking cigarettes since it doesn’t release smoke and bad smells.

Summary

Opinions regarding chewing tobacco as haram differ from varying scholars. Nevertheless, chewing tobacco is still a tobacco product that contains nicotine and other substances that can be harmful to your health. If possible, you should avoid consuming such tobacco products so you can live by the principles of Islam and avoid harming yourself in any way.

Are you a beginner in the chewing tobacco world? Then check this list of best chewing tobacco you can try and use as a first-time consumer.