Does smoking cigarettes invalidate prayer because they contain a percentage of alcohol, which is an ingredient in wine?
We have no knowledge of the shaykh's assertion that cigarettes contain a percentage of alcohol. The prohibition of cigarettes does not necessitate invalidating the prayer of the one who smokes or carries them. Indeed, the jurists have explicitly stated that smoke is pure. The prayer is valid even if one is carrying it, because it is not impure; not everything forbidden is impure. The default is that the prayer of the one who smokes or carries smoke is valid, even if he is sinful. However, if it is proven that cigarettes contain alcohol, then whoever considers alcohol to be impure (which is the view of the majority and the preponderant opinion) would obligate the smoker to wash his mouth from the effect of the alcohol; otherwise, his prayer would be invalid. And the smoke of impurity is impure, but a small amount of it is excused. If it is considered a small amount by custom, then it is excused; otherwise, not.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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