The Effect of Smoking on Fasting, and the Effect of Sins on Faith

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: I am a 21 year old guy and currently it is Ramadan and I am fasting. I have been a chained smoker for 6 years.  For 6 months I have been praying 5 times a day and trying to stop my bad habits. The only thing I couldn’t do is cut out my smoking habit. Does smoking make my worship unacceptable or take iman away?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health states.

Smoking will break your fast, so you must refrain from it during the day in Ramadan. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi Falah]

It will not take you iman away though, by Allah’s grace. In general, sins — even if major — do not negate one’s iman. This is the position of Ahl al-Sunna, based on the Qur’an and Noble Sunna.

Have hope in Allah and turn to Him, and try your best to rid yourself from all vile traits or bad habits.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani