Cover image via Medical Daily
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.
Image via Watchdog
Apart from that, the edict was also influenced by expert opinions implicating that the devices were more detrimental to health than cigarettes
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
Image via CNN
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
However, 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?**
Image via Indian Express
Recently, Malaysian Muslim Consumers' Association (PPIM) chief activist, Datuk Nadzim Johan said the Health Ministry should issue guidelines on the definition of e-cigarettes
Image via Astro Awani
