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Is smoking tobacco makrooh or haraam? Is Abdulhannan an appropriate name?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Darulifta-Deoband.com
As Salaamualaykum, Dearest Learned Scholar, I write to request a fatwa on smoking of Tobacco. Through my up bringing here in the UK I have been fortunate enough to be within reach of some very well respected scholars of Islam. I know from them smoking tobacco has been always regarded as makrooh. As I am unable to direct this question to them I felt I should contact you. It has always frustated me why it is regarded as makrooh more so recently when smoking is now related to ill health. In the UK cigarette packets carry warnings which basically warn people that smoking can lead to health problems ie cancer, they often carry the slogan “Smoking Kills”. With all the latest data available on smoking tobacco and the related health issues, should smoking tobacco now be regarded as haraam? If cigarette smoking is makrooh or haraam, what about selling or handling this product? I also note from fatwa 2409 that the people of hell will discharge smoke from their mouth, so to resemble them are we not comitting an act that the people of hell will comitt? My full name is Abdulhannan, many people call me Hannan, some people I have come across from the middle east advise me that I should change my name from Hannan as it is a girl’s name and the meaning is motherley love or I get told Abdulhannan is not sifat of Allah swt so I must change my name even on this circumstance. Please can you advise me on this and the correct format of my name? If my name is incorrect what should I change it to? Jazakallah Khair for your time and effort. May Allah swt reward you and your family for your efforts to bring a better understanding of Islam to people like me, AMEEN. Wasalaam, Abdulhannan

Answer

(Fatwa: 1208/1054=B-1429)

Smoking cigarette for enjoyment without a habit is makrooh (undesirable), if one insists on it and smokes regularly which may be injurious to his health, then smoking cigarette is unlawful (haram). Thus buying and selling cigarette are undesirable. Smoking cigarette being undesirable and haram is because of fearof  disease, so wherever the more fear is the harder prohibition will be and wherever the lesser fear is the lesser prohibition will be. (Mahmudia, 8/401)

(2) Hannan is an attribute of Allah Almighty and is one of His beautiful names. It means merciful, kind and gracious. Your name is right; there is no need to change it. Full name ‘Abudul Hannan’ should be called out, calling only Hannan should be avoided.

Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best

Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband

This answer was collected from the official ifta website of Darul Uloom Deoband in India.

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