KL Mufti Introduces Head-Spinning Fatwa Banning Vaping Because It's Haram
“It would be better if the money we use to buy e-cigarettes was put to other uses, such as donating to mosques or giving food to the poor," said Federal Territories Mufti.
By Rohini Rajaratnam — 05 Aug 2015, 06:10 PM
In a sweeping Facebook post, Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri has ruled e-cigarettes, or even any vape devices, haram (forbidden) to all Muslims after holding an Irsyad on the matter
Irsyad is a religious guidance issued by the Office of the Mufti. This Irsyad aims to address various issues related to Islamic practices and perspectives on current developments.
The most common reason behind picking up the e-cigarette is usually the misconception that it plays a substitute to real cigarettes and eventually helps cut the smoking habit due to the supposed lack of nicotine. Agreed?
According to Zulkifli, it is this sort of reasoning that makes capping appear as though it was 'halal', which then led to the widespread use of electronic cigarettes around the world. He also listed that vaping being similar to cigarette smoking was among reasons for the edict.
“It's assumptions such as e-cigarettes being capable to cut the smoking habit that deviates from the basic reasoning that it also contains tobacco and nicotine, which are substances that can be intoxicating and harmful to human health," he added.
Apart from that, the edict was also influenced by expert opinions implicating that the devices were more detrimental to health than cigarettes
“This has been considered a very strong foundation for (the ruling), as its ‘mafsadah’ (harmfulness) was indisputable, as recognised by experts and authoritative bodies.”
The Federal Territories Mufti referred to data from the World Health Organization stating that there's no concrete proof to support e-cigarettes being a healthier alternative to real cigarettes.
therakyatpost.com
Moreover, Zulkifli also believes e-cigarettes led to wastages considering it cost more than cigarettes and imitated a non-Muslim like culture while carrying an undignified image
He concluded his speech by calling upon all Muslims to abandon the use of electronic cigarettes based on the statements provided in the Irsyad Fatwa
It's rather interesting to note that smoking real cigarettes itself is considered haram to Muslims following a statement in the Quran implying the human body is sacred and should be free from destruction
Orders in the Qur’an forbidding smoking or any thing that could destruct yourself: “Do not cause your own destruction” (Al-Baqarah: 195); “Do not kill yourself, for verily God is ever Merciful towards you” (An-Nisaa': 29).
islamawareness.netHowever, according to the Federal Territory Mufti, cigarettes has not been banned in Malaysia due to political issues which would seem to cover the state of the economy. The question that now stands is why are real cigarettes, which have been provided with concrete proof explaining its dangers, is not forbidden wherelse e-cigarettes, which experts are still trying to determine its dangers, is forbidden?
Recently, Malaysian Muslim Consumers' Association (PPIM) chief activist, Datuk Nadzim Johan said the Health Ministry should issue guidelines on the definition of e-cigarettes
"The ministry should undertake an immediate study encompassing consumerism aspects and what are being practised by the people of this country in order to determine the danger level of the use of e-cigarettes. It is important for people to know the definition of and guidelines on e-cigarette, whether it falls under the category of cigarettes or hazardous foodstuff," he said.