worn, we say to him: Produce the evidence, for we have proofs indicating that it is lawful.

If someone were to say, “Tobacco is lawful,” we would not require him to produce evidence, because the basic presumption is permissibility. But if another says, “Rather, it is forbidden,” we say to him: Produce the evidence. There is no doubt that whoever reflects upon the texts of the Quran and the sunnah, and examines them correctly, will see that tobacco is forbidden. This is not the place to mention the evidence for its prohibition. Perhaps it will come later in the author’s own words.

The author said, as a corollary of this principle:

“Thus, everything that is pure and contains no harm is permissible, …”

The particle fa- in “thus, it is permissible” indicates that this is a corollary; that is, on this basis, everything pure and free of harm is permissible.

His words, “everything that is pure,” exclude whatever is intrinsically impure or has become contaminated. Intrinsic impurity is inherent in the substance itself, whereas contamination is a legal ruling.

Examples of intrinsically impure substances include carrion, pork, and flowing blood. Allah, Most High, says:

“Say, ‘I do not find, in what has been revealed to me, anything forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine—for indeed, it is impure.’” [al-An‘am 6:145]

The pronoun refers back to the three things mentioned. If someone says, “If that were so, it would have said, ‘for indeed, they are impure,’” the blood intended here is flowing blood—that which comes out before the animal dies. As for blood remaining after death, it is pure and lawful. The Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Two dead animals and two types of blood have been made lawful for us: the two dead animals are locusts and fish, and the two types of blood are the liver and spleen.” (1)

The answer is that His saying, “Say, ‘I do not find, in what has been revealed to me, anything forbidden to one who would eat