Is It Permissible for Muslims to Participate in Smudging?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Given its possible spiritual significance, is it permissible for Muslims to participate in the indigenous practice of smudging, which involves burning medicinal incense like sage?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Burning sage or other medicinal herbs for fragrance or health-related benefits is permissible in Islam. However, engaging in smudging as a spiritual practice with beliefs in supernatural influence or protection contradicts Islamic monotheism and should be avoided. A Muslim should always seek protection through the prescribed means in Islam, such as reciting Quranic supplications and placing trust in Allah (Most High).
Understanding Smudging in Islamic Jurisprudence
Smudging is a practice found in various indigenous traditions. It often involves burning medicinal herbs such as sage for cleansing or spiritual purposes. In evaluating its permissibility, it is essential to distinguish between cultural practices that are neutral in Islamic law and those that carry religious or spiritual implications contradicting Islamic monotheism (tawhid).
General Principles of Islamic Law
Islam acknowledges the natural benefits of certain plants and herbs. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) encouraged using natural remedies for healing, as seen in his guidance on the medicinal properties of black seed and honey. However, the permissibility of a practice is contingent on its intended purpose and associated beliefs.
When Is Smudging Permissible?
If the burning of sage or other herbs is done solely for medicinal or aromatic purposes—such as air purification, relaxation, or repelling insects—without any belief in supernatural effects, it remains within the realm of permissible (mubah) acts.
When Is Smudging Impermissible?
If smudging is performed with the belief that it invokes spiritual protection, dispels evil spirits, or connects one to unseen forces, it would be impermissible as it contradicts Islamic teachings on reliance upon Allah (Most High). Engaging in practices that attribute divine or supernatural power to objects without evidence from revelation can fall into forms of shirk (associating partners with Allah), which Islam strictly prohibits.
Allah (Most High) says:
“…and ‘If Allah touches you with harm, none can undo it except Him. And if He intends good for you, none can withhold His bounty. He grants it to whoever He wills of His servants. And He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” [Quran, 10:107]
Furthermore, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” [Abu Dawud; Ibn Hibban]
This hadith emphasizes distinguishing between permissible cultural practices and impermissible religious imitation.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
