First and foremost, one must have the will and turn to Allah, calling upon Him and asking Him to make it easy to quit.
To begin with, we can mention honey mixed with licorice, taken as one tablespoon in the morning and before sleeping. The person may also chew licorice whenever they feel the urge to smoke.
Siwak may also be chewed whenever the urge to smoke arises; in powder form it may be applied to the gums before sleeping, and one may also use a toothpaste made from siwak.
To fight nicotine, the person may also take two Valerian capsules before sleeping, along with two bowls of linden herbal tea.
There is also a fruit found in the East called "noni," made up of elements similar to those found in cigarettes, and it is found in syrup form, which can be taken in a large tablespoon in the morning after meals, and in the evening before sleeping.
What the science says: breaking free from an addiction, sleep
What published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for context — these studies address material causes, while healing belongs to Allah.
Breaking free from an addiction
Smoking cessation relies on structured support whose effectiveness is well established by the full set of Cochrane reviews (Tob Induc Dis, 2024); calming plants (valerian, passionflower) and exercise help get through withdrawal, with physical activity also protecting mood. Islam offers a powerful framework: sincere intention, supplication, supportive company, replacing a habit with a good deed. Precaution: abrupt alcohol cessation in a heavy drinker can be dangerous (seizures) — it should be done under a doctor's supervision; do not hesitate to seek support.
Sleep
Improving sleep improves mental health as a whole, according to a meta-analysis of randomized trials (Sleep Med Rev, 2021); sleep hygiene (regular schedules, darkness, no screens or coffee in the evening) has a measurable effect on insomnia (Fam Pract, 2018) (Sleep Med Rev, 2025). The Sunnah adds its own guidance: sleeping early, on the right side, after the bedtime supplications. Precaution: insomnia lasting more than three months, snoring with breathing pauses, or significant daytime sleepiness should be evaluated by a doctor.
