Although Islam has no specific ban on smoking tobacco, several Islamic principles are cited in support of the religion-based banning of tobacco. Depending on the location and community, Islamic authorities have either deemed smoking as Makruh (to be avoided) or Haram (forbidden). On September 5, 1999, Nasr Farid Wasel, the then Grand Mufti of Egypt, issued a Fatwa (a religious ruling) against tobacco smoking.[4]