The Dangers of Tobacco
A
person should take care of his health not only during the month of
Ramadan but also all life-long. Ramadan
is a golden opportunity to stop smoking.
Most smokers are aware that
they may have lung cancer, but few suspect that they are even more
vulnerable to heart attacks. Most people who suffer from heart attack
in the age group of 30-45 years are smokers. But what is more serious
is that a smoker who has a heart attack is more likely to lose his
life. I hereby mention a list of the damage caused by smoking.
Cigarette Smoking: Health Effects
Accelerates
the blockage of the arteries.- Deprives your blood of at least 15% of its oxygen.
- Pulses the heart while narrowing the blood vessels, causing overstrain in the circulation.
- Increases the risk of malformation of babies whose mothers smoke.
- Children of parents who smoke are more exposed to flu and bronchitis.
- Pollutes the atmosphere and cause harm to your family.
- Decreases sperm count and is responsible for sperm malformations.
- Causes lung cancer.
- Increases the risk of coronary thrombosis, paralysis, and gangrene in the legs.
- Delays the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
- Causes acute and chronic bronchitis in the lungs.
Even
‘mild’,
low tar cigarettes increase the risk of heart and lung damage, so do
not be fooled by advertising.
In
Mauritius 58% of men are heavy smokers while among women the
percentage is in the 7% range - which is very high and it is not
surprising that Mauritius breaks all records in cardiovascular
diseases, especially among men.
One
must stop smoking, but how?
First, decide to stop. Make a firm decision. If you are not mentally
prepared, you will not succeed.
Second, Make
a plan of action.
Third, Fight
against this evil. Join a group of non-smokers. Do a lot of sport.
Forth, Take
the month of Ramadan as a starting point. It is truly a golden
opportunity to stop.
Ramadan
is truly a great gift because not only is it the ultimate month of
Allah’s gifts, but it is also a very effective way of preventing us
from destroying ourselves by moving away from smoking. Many smokers
find it more difficult to cope with smoking deprivation than eating
or drinking deprivation. But they know that Ramadan is a great month
and so they fast to please Allah. In fact, the holy month gives
smokers the opportunity to put into practice a plan of action to put
an end to smoking once and for all.
By
depriving yourselves of cigarettes during the fast of Ramadan, you
want to please Allah, being obedient to Him, but keep in mind that
Allah gives you the opportunity to continue doing good for your own
body/ health. Imagine:
What if Ramadan was perpetual? Then you would have to stop smoking to
answer the call of Allah. Besides, Allah has never commanded you to
smoke, and so to destroy your material body/ health. This is your own
choice. So, you have to stop all that. These measures must be put
into action so that you are not penalized and condemned by
deteriorating health.
Do
not say when you break the fast in the evening, that you are going to
smoke just after, or even after the prayer, after the Taraweeh.
Do not encourage your own destruction. You have already made
tremendous progress during this blessed month. You have reduced your
intake of cigarettes.
So
now, if you get (if you are offered) a cigarette, just refuse it.
Tell everyone that you have seized the opportunity of the month of
Ramadan to make efforts to stop smoking. Decrease the amount of your
cigarette intakes. Do not buy 20 packs (of cigarettes) anymore. Save
your money. Drink fresh water, go for a walk, take a deep breath,
relax.
After
Ramadan, the month of discipline, you will be tempted to smoke again.
Satan will mislead you. He will tempt you in this way: “You
have made enormous sacrifices during the fast, now you are free. So
go for the ‘double
bite’
now. You need to make up for the lost time, don’t
you!”.
Indeed,
our bitter enemy will have indecency as soon as Ramadan comes to an
end to harass you in order to annul the progress you have made. Do
not listen to him. Enrage him by saying that you intend to continue
your plan to put a full stop to smoking and that it is your intention
to observe the six supererogatory fasts of the month of Shawwal. This
will not only be an opportunity to reap a huge divine reward, but you
will succeed in quitting smoking and you will not relapse.
Insha-Allah.
---Extracts from the Friday Sermon of 24 May 2019~18 Ramadan 1440 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.