Fasting during Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also about controlling oneself from anything that can invalidate or reduce the value of worship. In today's world, smoking and vaping have become habits for some people, even during the holy month of Ramadan.
The question arises: Is it permissible to smoke or vape during the day while fasting? Does this action merely reduce the reward, or does it completely invalidate the fast?
The Debate Surrounding Smoking and Vaping During Fasting
The debate around the norms of smoking and vaping during fasting is common, especially in this modern era where vaping has become increasingly popular. Some people believe that since cigarette smoke and vape vapor are not consumed like food and drink, they do not invalidate the fast. However, what do Islamic scholars actually say about this matter?
In Islamic jurisprudence, something that enters the body through an open cavity and can invalidate fasting is called 'ain. Generally, 'ain refers to food, drink, or medications. Most scholars agree that inhaling cooking vapors or the scent of oil does not invalidate fasting, as it happens unintentionally. However, this differs from cigarettes and vapes.
Does Smoking Invalidate Fasting?
Many scholars, especially from the Shafi'i school of thought, believe that smoking invalidates fasting. Their reasons include:
- Cigarette smoke is considered 'ain: The smoke inhaled while smoking is not just ordinary vapor, but contains substances that enter the throat and lungs. This differs from cooking vapors, which are merely smelled, not intentionally inhaled and retained within the body.
- Smoking is called "syurbud dukhan": In Arabic, smoking is referred to as "drinking smoke," indicating that this activity is similar to drinking something. Since drinking invalidates fasting, inhaling cigarette smoke is also considered to invalidate fasting.
- Traces of substances remain in the body: A scholar nicknamed Sheikh Az-Ziyadi once tested a smoking pipe and found residual tobacco elements inside it. This proves that smoking leaves residue in the body, reinforcing the opinion that smoking invalidates fasting.
What About Vaping?
Vapes or e-cigarettes work by vaporizing a liquid which is then inhaled. Just like cigarettes, the vapor from vapes contains substances that intentionally enter the body, leading scholars to believe that vaping also invalidates fasting.
Smoking and vaping during fasting can invalidate the fast because both intentionally introduce substances into the body. However, unintentionally inhaling smoke, such as from cooking or air pollution, does not invalidate fasting. The same applies to passive smokers; their fast remains valid because they do not deliberately inhale cigarette smoke.
Therefore, if one is fasting, it is best to refrain from smoking or using vapes. In addition to maintaining the validity of the fast, this can also be a moment to reduce or even quit smoking altogether.
