Shisha smoking is haram, Muslims reminded

KUCHING: Much like smoking normal cigarettes, shisha or waterpipe smoking has also been recently declared haram (forbidden) for Muslims, and although no action will be taken against the smoker, it will be at the person’s own risk.

The Fatwa (Edicts) Committee of the National Council for Islamic Affairs issued a statement on July 19 indicating that taking a puff from the waterpipe, which is often filled with flavoured tobacco, was haram for Muslims after having experts from the Health Ministry scrutinise medical and scientific evidence from the country and abroad on the ill-effects of shisha.

Speaking to The Star yesterday, Assistant Islamic Affairs Minister Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman advised Muslims to refrain from partaking in the activity, though they would not be fined or penalised for doing so.

“You see, whatever the Fatwa Committee decides is usually for the good of Muslims and non-Muslims. Much like smoking cigarettes, smoking shisha is bad for your health, if not worse,” he said.

“The fatwa is a general guideline that Muslims must strive to follow.

“Whether Muslims choose to follow the fatwa is entirely up to them, but remember, it is forbidden in Islam.

“Though no action will be taken against them by religious authorities for smoking shisha, it will be between you and God if you choose to do so,” he explained.

When asked about his personal opinion on shisha smoking, Daud replied that since it was detrimental to one’s health, he was against it.

“It is unhealthy and the exhaled smoke is an annoyance to others, so I would advise against it,” he said.

Daud had said in a June 26 report that many Muslims were still unaware of a fatwa (edict) declaring cigarette smoking as haram although it was issued in 1995.

“This is more a matter of education and awareness. It’s a serious matter but it’s not a crime. We also want Muslims to understand that haram means it is wrong to practise it and they should stop the habit,” he said.

The World Health Organisation published a report in 2005 stating that smoking using a waterpipe poses a serious potential health hazard and is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking, as an average shisha session typically lasts more than 40 minutes and consists of 50 to 200 inhalations, each range from 0.15 to 0.50 litres of smoke.

Few places in Kuching offer shisha, but those that do usually see a small but loyal group of shisha smokers puffing away at night.

The price for renting a shisha generally ranges from RM13.50 to RM21.50. Smokers can choose from a variety of flavoured tobacco that goes with it, such as apple, strawberry, mint and cherry.