The latest 'in thing' these days is the vaping craze in several countries since it was introduced about five years ago. However, Muslim scholars here have said that vaping and e-cigarettes are stringently prohibited in Islam due to its health implications and because they are a "waste of money". Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Chief Mufti at the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, told Khaleej Times that e-cigarettes are not only forbidden according to Islamic Sharia but are rather a "two-fold sin". "Vaping (inhaling and exhaling the vapour produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device) is as haraam (forbidden) as regular smoking owing to its harmful effects... [Read more]