November 2022

This post is not a rant neither a message from the Haraam Police but i’d like to explore modern shisha lounges and how they’re becoming Muslim Nightclubs. Although the health hazards of shisha alone outweigh those of cigarettes, I want to focus on the outlets in this post. You can read more on shisha here:

What is a Shisha outlet?

Shisha (also known as Hookah) is a well known smoking pipe that has become highly popular recently, as a result hundreds of outlets have opened and many make way to spend their evening there. The typical outlet will have a bar area, a dance floor, a seating area for customers. Lights will flash in all directions and the latest niche music will play. As the competition gets tougher, business owners have gone to lengths to provide luxury to customers however haraam it may be- belly dancers are definite no no!

What is a nightclub (by definition)

They were initially set up as discos; a place to boogy to your favourite beats. Now they have become clubs for people to socialise in a very informal way, a way to chat to who ever you want and rave. Bars are similar, just for the snobs in society. However it’s not the venue that’s attractive, it’s the opportunity to sip on booze and get with whoever you want.

This is why it’s haraam for Muslims – Alcohol is no-no, Dancing (animal-istically) in public is a no-no and One Night Stands are a deffo no-no!

“No adulterer is a believer at the time when he is committing adultery; no thief is a believer at the time when he is stealing; no drinker of wine is a believer at the time when he is drinking it.”Prophet Muhammad (Bukhari)

Comparison

One is based on a culture of drink and dance and the other a culture of smoke and intermingling. The very nature of these forms of outlets are the same.

Everyone tends to dress up and look as attractive as possible (whether or not it’s to pull). What seems to happen is, someone ends up finding you attractive, and uses your attendance to the club as an invitation- If you’re cool enough to go out on a night, then why would you be not be ok if a randomer spoke to you?

Islam

Due to Shisha having an Arabian heritage, many link it to be part of the Islamic tradition. It’s somehow got a Muslim feel, making even the ‘practising’ Muslims comfortable. But Nightclubs are the playground of the Shaytaan – free mixing between both genders, drugs, alcohol, girls/guys committing illegal acts (kissing, hugging, dancing and more) on the spot, going home with each other to fornicate are all works of the Shaytaan.

“The zina of the eyes is looking, the zina of the ears is listening, the zina of the tongue is speaking, the zina of the hand is touching, and the zina of the foot is walking. The heart wishes and longs and the private part confirms that or denies it.”Prophet Muhammad (Muslim)

“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allah Forgives him)”Quran 17:32

Two clear examples on safeguarding the body and staying away from fornication.

“…the one who distils it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to whom it has been brought, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it, the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else.” Prophet Muhammad on Alcohol (Tirmidhi)

From this hadith we can analyse that due to the ill-nature of intoxication by Alcohol- anything directly connected to it is also forbidden. There is clear emphasis on everything surrounding alcohol, likewise, anything leading to or as a consequence of other sins carry the same burden. If the Shisha Lounge acts as a medium for people to get frisky then its not halal- nothing has to happen that night. But swapping numbers can lead to destruction. 

“The example of a good pious companion and an evil one is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him, but the one who is blowing a pair of bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him.”Prophet Muhammad (Bukhari)

What we can learn from this is, even if you’re the innocent gullible friend. The effects of such places will rub on to you, it’ll weaken your Imaan- so don’t play the ‘but I’ve got my tasbih with me.’ card.

The Shisha Lounge environment are built for purpose of hedonistic pleasures. I’m not looking to preach or condemn individuals. Just something I’m beginning to notice in our society. Let me know what you think below?

Check out this video!