Is Vaping Haram? What you need to know
The debate on whether or not vaping is haram has been ongoing for some years, and now that vaping is becoming more and more popular, more people are asking, ‘Is vaping haram?’
While different Islamic organisations and philosophers have had various opinions over the years, we’re going to dive into the root of the debate to see what the overall consensus is.
Today, we’ll discuss whether vaping is haram, what the scholars have to say, and alternatives to nicotine e-liquids.
Of course, your local imam is always a good person to ask if you’re still feeling unsure.
Is vaping haram in Islam?
The general idea is that vaping is considered haram, as it can be harmful to a person’s health.
While it’s 95% less harmful than smoking a cigarette, it’s not completely risk-free, and it can be addictive due to the nicotine concentration. Since Islamic teachings place a large emphasis on staying healthy, the potential health implications of vaping mean that it opposes the Islamic way.
So, under the guidance of Allah, “There should be neither harming (darar) nor reciprocating harm (dirar)," which means that you should cause no harm to yourself or others; this makes vaping haram.
Muhammadiyah is the second biggest Muslim organisation in Indonesia, and they have stated that e-cigarettes and any type of vaping are haram, stating that “Smoking electronic cigarettes is haram, just like smoking conventional cigarettes, because it is categorised as a form of consumption that can damage or endanger.”
Why is vaping haram?
Nicotine can cause dependency and addiction, affecting the nervous system and brain, while also influencing mood and behaviour. All of these things go against the principle of self-control and discipline practised by muslims.
Everything that begins to control your time, money, mood, and ability to worship with focus negatively impacts your life. Smoking and vaping also contradict the Qur’anic guidance against self-destruction and the hadith that states, “no harm and no reciprocating harm.”
However, intent is also important. Someone smoking for recreational reasons is more likely to be viewed as committing a haram act than someone who uses nicotine for medical reasons.
A person switching from smoking cigarettes to vapes as a way to quit smoking is also often viewed as causing less harm. If this is you, check out our blog post ‘A Complete Guide to Switching From Cigarettes to Vapes’ for more information and guidance.
If you smoke or vape, strong smells and bad breath are still discouraged around prayer and the masjid, so you should remove the odour from your mouth beforehand. This doesn’t mean you need to perform wudu again; it just means you need to freshen up.
While many muslims believe vaping to be haram, most scholarly discussions come back to these conditions: what’s in the vape, how it affects you, and why you’re using it. Which leads us to our next section.
Is all vaping haram, or can it be makruh? Understanding the grey area
When it comes to vapes, there tends to be a bit of a grey area on what’s allowed and what isn’t.
In Islamic law, actions aren't only “allowed” or “forbidden”. Many scholars explain five broad categories: obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked, and forbidden. That's where vaping can fall into a bit of a grey category.
For example, if you use a nicotine-free vape, and the e-liquid does not contain other harmful chemicals, then the practice can be considered halal. This also means the vape should use natural flavourings and not harm those around you.
Typical vape liquid is usually a mix of nicotine (unless it's 0 mg), propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), and flavourings. Some may contain a small amount of Ethanol, which may make them unsuitable for muslims, so it’s always best to check.
E-liquids containing CBD and THC, which are found in Cannabis plants, are also another problem. THC is the substance that makes you feel ‘high’, whereas CBD doesn’t produce the same psychoactive effects. So, it is halal to vape CBD e-liquid as long as there are absolutely no traces of THC in it.
If you’re strict about your beliefs, then avoiding vapes altogether is the best way to go.
Can you vape during Ramadan?
Darul Ifta Birmingham states that intentionally inhaling smoke/vapour breaks the fast, as the vapour enters your stomach when you inhale it through your mouth.
Therefore, vaping or smoking during Ramadan is prohibited. You can vape outside of fasting hours, but since it’s still considered haram by many, a lot of people tend to avoid it during the holy month when there’s a large focus on purification and self-discipline.
What would make an e-liquid halal?
An e-liquid would be considered halal if…
- It was nicotine-free
- Included no traces of pork-derived products
- No alcohol in the product
- No THC in the e-liquid
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At the end of the day, the answer to 'Is vaping haram?' can depend on the ingredients, the level of harm, and your reason for using it.
If you’re using vaping to move away from cigarettes, the key is to make informed choices and stick to products you trust.
At Juicemate, we stock regulated vape starter kits for smokers seeking an alternative to tobacco, with options to suit different needs and nicotine strengths.
Browse our range today and take the next step with more confidence.