Fatwa ID: 07046

 

Answered by: Maulana Burhaan Rahman

 

Question:

 

I would like to get the Fatwah and sharia rule about Consuming Vape , E-cigarettes (with nicotine) or doing its business or investing in Vape, E-cigarettes (with nicotine) business.

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer:

 

The unique psychotropic component of tobacco is nicotine. “Nicotine creates temporary feeling of well-being and relaxation, and increases heart rate and the amount of oxygen the heart uses.” [National Cancer Institute]

 

Nicotine enters the bloodstream swiftly and travels to the brain. Nicotine levels reach their peak in the body fast, therefore the emotions of satisfaction are transient. People may then become trapped in a loop of smoking more to maintain their enjoyment.

 

“Dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is a component of the brain’s reward system and induces emotions of pleasure and reward, is likewise increased by nicotine. Dopamine is released, which promotes a person’s nicotine-taking behaviour.” [PMC Pubmed Central]

 

We know that Nicotine falls into the category of intoxicants, and it makes you lose consciousness. This is a Haram substance to take. People use it to kick back and also to make them “temporarily forget past events”. [HealthlineUK].

 

Our beloved prophet SAW has mentioned:

 

وَالْخَمْرُ مَا خَامَرَ الْعَقْلَ

“khamr” is that which befogs the mind. [Muslim Hadeeth no: 3032]

 

كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ خَمْرٌ وَكُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ

“Every intoxicant is Khamr and every intoxicant is forbidden” [Muslim Hadeeth no: 2003]

 

Sometimes we see it remains Haram. Our beloved prophet (SAW) has mentioned:

 

مَا أَسْكَرَ كَثِيرُهُ فَقَلِيلُهُ حَرَامٌ

Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, a little of it is haram.” [Tirmidhi Hadeeth no: 1865]

 

But when there is a genuine medical need and necessity to use a substance (even if it’s a recreational substance like nicotine) it is permissible.

 

The legal maxim of Islamic law mentions:

الضرورات تبيح المحظورات

 

Necessity renders prohibited things permissible.

 

So if nicotine is needed for the patient for a medical need, it is permissible.

 

It’s important to note that while allowing nicotine, terms like “anxiety” and “depression” are not considered because people often use it to distract themselves from stressful situations, painful memories, etc.

 

Although definitive research is still lacking, long-term use of nicotine may offer some health advantages. These advantages include defence against ailments and diseases such as:

 

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Parkinson’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis

 

So overall E-cigs/vapes with any amount of nicotine in it is impermissible in Islam.

 

 

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Burhaan Rahman

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham