MUI Issues Fatwa Declaring E-Cigarettes and Vapes Haram
MUI (the Indonesian Ulema Council) has officially issued a fatwa declaring the use, production, and trade of e-cigarettes and vapes haram.
Portal Islam 
This article was first published in Indonesian. Baca versi Bahasa Indonesia →
MUI (the Indonesian Ulema Council) has officially issued a fatwa declaring the use of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, to be haram. This ruling encompasses a total ban on the use, misuse, production, and trade of these electronic smoking devices within society.
Based on reports from CNN Indonesia and DetikHikmah on Monday, November 9, 2026, the decision is outlined in MUI Fatwa Commission Decree Number 131 of 2026 concerning the Legal Status of Using Electronic Cigarettes (REL) or Vapes. This important document was signed by the Head of the MUI Fatwa Division, Prof. KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh, alongside the Deputy Secretary-General of the MUI Fatwa Division, Dr. KH Aminuddin Yaqub. The fatwa was also acknowledged by MUI General Chairman KH Anwar Iskandar and MUI Secretary-General Buya Amirsyah Tambunan in Jakarta.
Legal Provisions and Fatwa Considerations
There are slight discrepancies in the reported dates for the signing and plenary session among media outlets. According to DetikHikmah, the decision was acknowledged in Jakarta on Monday, November 9, 2026, following the MUI Fatwa Plenary Session held on Friday, November 6, 2026. Meanwhile, CNN Indonesia stated that the document was acknowledged in Jakarta on November 6, 2026.
In this fatwa, MUI formulated three main legal provisions governing the prohibition of e-cigarettes:
- Using electronic cigarettes (REL)/vapes is haram because it harms health, damages the environment, and prevents its misuse as a medium for the distribution and consumption of narcotics, psychotropics, and other addictive substances.
- Misusing electronic cigarettes (REL)/vapes for the consumption of narcotics, psychotropics, and other addictive substances is haram.
- Producing and/or trading electronic cigarettes (REL)/vapes is haram.
Prof. KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh explained that this decision was reached after considering the various negative impacts caused by e-cigarettes on public life, spanning both health and social aspects.
Health, Environmental, and Sadd al-Dzariah Reasons
MUI established several fundamental considerations in declaring e-cigarettes haram. From a health perspective, vapes are defined as battery-powered devices that operate by heating substances containing nicotine, glycerin, and flavorings to produce an aerosol for users to inhale. The nicotine content is addictive, capable of causing dependency, and poses risks of disrupting the nervous system and overall bodily health.
Beyond health aspects, vape components utilizing batteries, plastics, and liquid containers pose a risk of becoming waste that pollutes the environment if not properly managed. MUI also applied the principle of sadd al-dzariah (blocking the means to unlawful acts) to prevent these devices from being misused as a medium for the distribution and consumption of illicit substances such as narcotics and psychotropics.
Recommendations to the Government and DPR
Alongside issuing the legal ruling, according to CNN Indonesia, MUI also conveyed several important recommendations to the government and the DPR (Indonesia's House of Representatives). MUI requested that both institutions promptly draft legislation strictly prohibiting e-cigarettes, complete with sanctions for violators.
The government is also urged to take swift action in controlling the circulation of e-cigarettes within society. This supervisory measure is considered extremely urgent to protect the wider public from exposure and the various adverse impacts caused by vape use.
Islamic Perspective on Preserving Health and Avoiding Harm
From an Islamic perspective, protecting oneself from all forms of harm and danger is part of the foundational principles of maqashid shariah, specifically the preservation of life (hifzh an-nafs). Every Muslim is encouraged to consistently consume and use things that are good and pure, while staying away from anything that can bring loss to physical health and intellectual faculties.
وَاَنْفِقُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوْا بِاَيْدِيْكُمْ اِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَاَحْسِنُوْا ۛ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِيْنَ ﴿١٩٥﴾
And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.
Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqara [2]: 195 (Sahih International)
May this ruling issued by the ulama serve as a comforting guide and raise awareness among Muslims to always prioritize health, environmental safety, and blessed lives in accordance with the guidance of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
