Fatwa ID: 07707

Answered by Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat

Question:

Am I allowed to open up a vape shop?

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

Answer:

In Hanafi jurisprudence, the permissibility of opening a vape shop hinges on the nature and effects of the products sold. Vaping products, such as e-cigarettes, often contain nicotine and other substances that may be harmful to health. Islamic law prohibits the sale and consumption of items that cause harm, based on the verse in Surah Nisa :29  And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” 

Some potentially harmful chemicals have been found in e-cigarettes. However, levels are usually low and generally far lower than in tobacco cigarettes. 

Research is underway to verify that there could be potential risks of cancer, there is no good evidence that vaping causes cancer. 

But e-cigarettes are not risk-free. They can cause side effects such as throat and mouth irritation, headache, cough and feeling sick. The effects still have a harmful effect on the body.

Opening a vape shop could make you complicit in contributing to the deterioration of someone’s health. Since nicotine, found in vape liquids, is highly addictive, it can be classified as an intoxicant, which is prohibited in Islam. This is supported by the Hadith in Sunan An-Nasa’i (5699), which forbids the use of intoxicating substances.

Consequently, opening a vape shop would not be permissible due to the associated health risks and the prohibition against causing harm.

I hope that this answers the question.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 لا ضرر ولا ضرار، قواعد الفقيه، ص، ٢٨

 الَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْقَاسِمِ، أَخْبَرَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ خَمْرٌ وَكُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ