Is Hookah Haram? A Modern Issue in an Ancient Faith

The question of whether smoking hookah (also known as shisha) is haram (forbidden) in Islam is more than just a cultural or health-based discussion — it touches on how Islamic rulings evolve in light of modern knowledge.

While traditional Islamic jurisprudence didn’t address hookah specifically, as it wasn’t present in earlier times, today the vast majority of contemporary scholars deem it haram, based on its harm to the body and mind.

So, to answer the central question clearly: Yes, smoking hookah is considered haram (forbidden) by the majority of modern Islamic scholars, due to its well-established harmful effects on health, its addictive nature, and the spiritual and physical damage it causes.

The Islamic Principle: Do Not Harm Yourself

A key verse in the Qur’an often cited in this discussion is:

“And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:29)

And another:

“Do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands…”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:195)

While some argue that these verses were revealed in specific contexts — such as abandoning jihad or mismanaging wealth — scholars also agree that the general principle they convey is broader: Islam prohibits self-harm in any form. This is a foundational part of Maqasid al-Shari’ah (the higher objectives of Islamic law), one of which is the preservation of life and health (Hifz al-Nafs).

So when something is proven to cause long-term physical harm, like hookah smoking, it enters the category of muharramat (forbidden acts) by default, even if not mentioned explicitly in classical texts.

Hookah Is Not Safer Than Cigarettes

One of the biggest misconceptions is that hookah is somehow “less harmful” than cigarette smoking because the smoke passes through water. However, modern medical research has soundly debunked this myth:

From an Islamic perspective, intentionally engaging in something that is both harmful and addictive violates the Prophet’s teachings:

“There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.”
(Hadith – Ibn Majah, Al-Daraqutni – considered sahih)

The Role of Addiction in Islamic Rulings

Another key consideration is addiction. Islam encourages self-control, moderation, and discipline. Anything that enslaves the human will — whether it’s alcohol, gambling, or drugs — is heavily discouraged or outright forbidden.

If someone becomes addicted to hookah, it can:

As such, many scholars categorize hookah smoking as makruh tahrimi (strongly discouraged to the point of prohibition), if not outright haram.

What About Soda or Fast Food?

Some raise valid questions: “Why is hookah haram if other harmful things like soda, fast food, or overworking aren’t?”

Here’s the key difference: degree and intention.

In Islam, anything that provides no real benefit but causes harm falls into the category of what should be avoided:

“…They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:219)

The same principle applies to hookah: its social enjoyment does not outweigh the physical and spiritual consequences.

What You Put In, Reflects Out

What we allow into our bodies has a direct impact on our spiritual well-being. Consuming substances that are impure or harmful can cloud the heart, dull spiritual awareness, and create distance between a person and their Creator. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consistently emphasized cleanliness, both physical and spiritual, as a cornerstone of faith.

Health, mental clarity, and purity were all virtues he encouraged.

Smoking — including hookah — undermines these values. It harms the body, pollutes the breath, dulls the senses, and brings no lasting benefit. It goes against the Islamic concept of the body being an amanah — a trust from Allah that we are responsible for protecting and maintaining.

Even if one argues that hookah is not explicitly mentioned in religious texts as haram, the broader spirit of Islam leans toward that which is clean, nourishing, and beneficial.

Striving for a higher standard means choosing what uplifts the soul and preserves the body, not what degrades or diminishes it.

Final Word

@strugglesofmohammed Shisha is HARAM #shisha #islamicknowledge #islamicstudies #islamicremindersdaily😊 #halalandharaam ♬ original sound – strugglesofmohammed

In conclusion, while classical Islamic law didn’t mention hookah because it didn’t exist then, the principles of Islam oppose anything that harms the body, addicts the mind, and pollutes the soul. Based on these grounds, the majority of contemporary scholars consider hookah haram.

More importantly, as Muslims striving for excellence (ihsan), we are called to rise above the bare minimum of what’s forbidden and embrace what draws us closer to Allah — in mind, body, and soul.