How Islam Combated Bad Habits Such as Smoking, Addiction, Pornography, False Testimony, Degradation of Women, and Unjust Bloodshed
Introduction
Islam emerged as a comprehensive way of life aimed at reforming the individual and society, elevating humanity from the mire of vices to the heights of moral and spiritual perfection. Since its advent in the seventh century CE, Islam confronted a pre-Islamic (Jahiliyyah) society rife with harmful habits that threatened human dignity and societal well-being. These included smoking, addiction, and pornography in their ancient and modern forms, as well as false testimony, the degradation of women, and unjust bloodshed, particularly in wars. How did Islam address these habits? What evidence from the Holy Qur’an, the Prophetic Sunnah, the sayings of the righteous predecessors (Salaf), and contemporary fatwas supports Islam’s stance against them? This is what we will explore in this comprehensive article, which extends to approximately 2,000 words in Standard Arabic.
The General Framework for Combating Bad Habits in Islam
Islam is a religion of prevention and remedy, rooted in preserving the five necessities: religion, life, intellect, honor, and wealth. Its teachings prohibit anything that endangers these essentials, whether through explicit prohibition or general principles applicable to new phenomena across time. Allah Almighty says: “And do not kill yourselves, for indeed Allah has been merciful to you” (Surah An-Nisa: 29), a verse calling for the protection of the self from all harm. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm” (narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Majah), a hadith forming a foundational legal principle for prohibiting anything that causes harm to the individual or society.
Smoking: Islam’s War on Harming the Body
Smoking was unknown during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) since tobacco was not discovered until later centuries. However, Islam established legislative foundations that prohibit this habit based on its scientifically and religiously proven harm. Allah says: “And do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 195), a clear call to avoid anything that destroys a person. Modern studies have proven that smoking causes serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and lung conditions, placing it within the realm of prohibition.
Among the righteous predecessors, Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) stated in Majmu’ al-Fatawa: “Anything that harms the body or mind is forbidden, for the Sharia aims to preserve the necessities.” Based on this, the Islamic Research Council at Al-Azhar issued a fatwa in 2000 CE declaring smoking religiously prohibited (haram), as it constitutes throwing oneself into destruction, harms public health, and wastes money without benefit. They cited Allah’s words: “And do not be extravagant, for indeed He does not love the extravagant” (Surah Al-An’am: 141).
Addiction: Prohibition of Drugs and Intoxicants
Addiction to drugs or alcohol is among the most dangerous habits that have threatened societies throughout history. Islam explicitly bans anything that impairs the mind or corrupts consciousness. Allah says: “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may succeed” (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 90). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Every intoxicant is khamr (wine), and every khamr is haram” (narrated by Muslim), encompassing all substances that intoxicate or impair the mind, whether wine or modern drugs like hashish or cocaine.
Imam Ahmad narrated from Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah has not placed your cure in what He has forbidden for you”, indicating that drugs, which some claim alleviate pain or calm the nerves, are prohibited because their harm outweighs their benefit. Imam Al-Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Anything that removes or corrupts the mind falls under the ruling of khamr,” a principle applicable to modern drugs.
In contemporary fatwas, Al-Azhar issued a ruling in 1980 CE prohibiting the use and trade of drugs, deeming it a major sin because it corrupts the mind, destroys lives, and devastates families and societies. They relied on the hadith: “Whoever dies addicted to khamr will have no intercession on the Day of Resurrection” (narrated by Tirmidhi).
Pornography: Protecting Honor and the Heart
Pornography has become one of the most widespread habits in the modern era due to technology, but Islam has erected a formidable barrier against anything that corrupts honor or unlawfully stirs desires. Allah says: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that is purer for them” (Surah An-Nur: 30), a direct call to self-restraint and protecting the eyes from the forbidden. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The eyes commit zina, and their zina is looking” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim), indicating that gazing at prohibited things, such as pornographic images or films, is a form of adultery.
Among the righteous predecessors, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “If your eyes look at what Allah has forbidden, they have betrayed you,” highlighting the danger of illicit gazing on the heart and soul. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) warned in Al-Jawab Al-Kafi of the peril of looking at the forbidden, noting that it corrupts the heart and distances it from Allah.
In modern fatwas, the Egyptian Fatwa Authority issued a ruling in 2015 CE prohibiting the viewing of pornographic material, as it unlawfully incites lust, corrupts morals, and destroys families. They cited Allah’s words: “And those who guard their private parts” (Surah Al-Mu’minun: 5).
False Testimony: Safeguarding Truth and Justice
False testimony, or lying in speech and witness-bearing, was a prevalent bad habit in pre-Islamic society. Islam fiercely opposed it because it undermines social relationships and threatens justice. Allah says: “And avoid false statement” (Surah Al-Hajj: 30), a clear call to shun all forms of falsehood. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Adhere to truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to righteousness” (narrated by Bukhari), warning against lying, which leads to wickedness.
Among the righteous predecessors, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “For me to be truthful in my speech is better than to lie, even if lying were in my favor,” emphasizing the moral value of honesty. Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) cautioned against false testimony in courts, considering it one of the gravest sins because it oppresses people and corrupts justice.
Degradation of Women: Elevating Their Status in Islam
In pre-Islamic times, women were degraded and treated as commodities. Islam came to restore their dignity and prohibit all forms of humiliation against them. Allah says: “And live with them in kindness” (Surah An-Nisa: 19), a call to treat women with goodness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best of you are those who are best to their families” (narrated by Tirmidhi), stressing the importance of treating women well.
Among the righteous predecessors, Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “A woman is a flower, not a servant,” advocating gentleness toward her. In modern times, Al-Azhar has issued fatwas prohibiting domestic violence and degradation of women, deeming it a violation of Islamic teachings.
Unjust Bloodshed: The Sanctity of Life in Islam
Pre-Islamic wars were waged for trivial reasons, and unjust bloodshed was a common practice. Islam came to prohibit killing except within the bounds of justice. Allah says: “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally” (Surah An-Nisa: 93). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The blood of a Muslim is not lawful except for one of three reasons” (narrated by Bukhari), specifying the cases where killing is permissible.
Among the righteous predecessors, Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “Whoever sheds blood unjustly has betrayed the trust,” affirming the sanctity of life. In contemporary fatwas, Al-Azhar has condemned indiscriminate wars and terrorism, citing Allah’s words: “Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land, it is as if he had slain mankind entirely” (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 32).
Islam’s Approach to Combating Bad Habits
Islam did not merely prohibit these habits but established a comprehensive educational and practical approach for prevention and remedy:
- Education in Piety: Allah says: “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared” (Surah Aal-E-Imran: 102), for piety is the fortress that protects against falling into the forbidden.
- Lawful Alternatives: Islam encouraged marriage as an alternative to illicit desires, with the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: “Whoever can afford it, let him marry” (narrated by Bukhari).
- Deterrent Punishments: Such as the prescribed penalties for adultery and drinking, to ensure societal uprightness.
- Gradual Prohibition: As with wine, which was banned incrementally to ease its abandonment.
Conclusion
With its lofty teachings, Islam combated bad habits such as smoking, addiction, pornography, false testimony, the degradation of women, and unjust bloodshed, remaining a methodology that protects humanity and elevates it to the highest levels of dignity and justice.
