I often criticized this state and discussed these matters with some of ulema ...

I often criticized this state and discussed these matters with some of ulema , but I did not find any one who had enough courage to prohibit smoking,[^3] neither among the Shia nor among the Sunni. Shahid Muhammad Baqir as-Sadr (may Allah have mercy on him) never did smoke at all. When once I asked him about smoking, he said, “I do not smoke and I advise every Muslim not to smoke.” However, I did not hear from him the prohibition of smoking openly.

It is said that some ulema have prohibited smoking for the ones who have never smoked and they want now to smoke and considered it unapproved for smokers themselves. Some ulema consider it impermissible, but they do not dare to announce openly for fear that they may be accused of…