Question:
Assalamualaikum, I want to ask; what is the ruling of working in a factory that manufactures machines that produce tobacco or cigarettes?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
The 37th Muzakarah of Fatwa Committee of National Council which convened on 23rd March 1995 decided that smoking is haram the same as the opinions issued by the majority of scholars such as Dr Yusof al-Qaradhawi.
We have also explained in-depth on the evidences of the prohibition of smoking in our article titled IRSYAD USUL AL-FIQH SERIES 20: THE MAXIM OF “THE ORIGINAL RULE OF SOMETHING IS ITS PERMISSIBILITY” AND ITS RELATION TO THE RULING OF SMOKING
As for the ruling of getting involve in the industry which is related to cigarette, the ruling is also haram according to the following evidences and arguments:
- Allah SWT states:
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.”
Surah al-Maidah (2)
- Any effort towards the making or manufacturing of matters which are clearly haram such as the manufacturing of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages is haram. This is according to a famous Islamic legal maxim الإعانة على المحرم محرمة (cooperating in haram matters is haram) and ما أدى إلى الحرام فهو حرام (whatever leads to haram is haram).
- The Prophet PBUH said:
لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ
"Do not inflict harm nor reciprocate harm"
Sunan Ibn Majah (2341)
Cigarette is the source of numerous diseases and this has been scientifically proven. Any effort in the manufacturing of cigarettes is an effort towards harming all mankind in general.
Taqwa Will Open the Doors of Sustenance
We realize that in the current economy downfall where job opportunities are hard to find and the competition is great. However, Allah SWT also emphasizes that taqwa towards Him will open the doors of sustenance from unexpected routes and ease one’s affairs:
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا ﴿٢﴾ وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ
“…and whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out, and will provide for him from where he does not expect,”
Surah al-Talaq (2-3)
مَن يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا
“And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease.”
Surah al-Talaq (4)
Allah SWT also states about the vastness of His earth:
أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّـهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَا ۚ
"Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?"
Surah al-NIsa’ (97)
Conclusion
In short, it is haram to work at a factory which produces machines for the manufacturing of cigarettes. The reason is anything that leads to haram is haram. Indeed, the sustenance of Allah SWT is vast and He guarantees sustenance for His slaves on the earth, hence, it is better to find another job which is halal to build your life in accordance with the syariah of Islam.
For anyone who is involved with such jobs, he should immediately try his best to find another halal and blessed job. It is permissible for him to stay in the job while waiting to get another job especially when he has to provide for his family. However, he should hate his job in his heart for it is the weakest of faith as stated in the hadith:
مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الإِيمَانِ
“Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.”
Sahih Muslim (49)
Wallahua’lam.
Endnotes:
[1] Refer https://www.muftiwp.gov.my/artikel/irsyad-usul-fiqh/2326-irsyad-usul-al-fiqh-siri-ke-20-kaedah-asal-bagi-sesuatu-perkara-adalah-harus-dan-kaitannya-dengan-hukum-merokok?highlight=WyJyb2tvayJd