WASHINGTON: A Covid-19 vaccine is not only permissible in Islam, but also obligatory as it has the potential to stop the spread of an extremely dangerous disease, says an edict issued by the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AJMA).
On Saturday, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) arranged a seminar. Scholars and physicians who participated in the seminar.
They concluded that there is no religious restriction on taking the vaccine; it is meant to prevent the spread of the deadly virus; The coronavirus disease had already killed more than 2.22 million people across the globe; more than 102 million people are infected by the virus.
AJMA also explained, in its edict that the least that it is prescribed: “either permissible or recommended for individuals to take,”.
Because of the nature of the danger the world faces; the postulated risks are not sufficient to make the vaccine impermissible.
“As for public health authorities, it is incumbent on them to make it available for the people; for their benefit and protection,” the edict added.
AJMA, which includes Islamic scholars from various Muslim nations; noted that the only way to stop this pandemic was reaching herd immunity; which requires that around 70 percent of the people have immunity.
Two ways to fight against deadly Virus
In the Edict AJWA also explained two ways by which people can prevent themselves:
- By allowing the infection to spread without curtailing it.
- By vaccinating people against the virus.
“The first way does not conform with the Sharia because it risks the lives of people; particularly the weak, which is in direct conflict” with the Islamic instruction of preserving all human lives, the scholars argued.
“The second way is through vaccination, which is congruent with the Sharia and reason,” the scholars argued.
“The permissibility of taking medicine to repel an existing disease or prevent an expected one is a matter of consensus among the people of knowledge.”
The edict then goes to the next level; arguing that the Covid-19 vaccine was not only permissible, but it’s also obligatory.
“The point of contention is whether it is obligatory or not; various fiqh councils have addressed this matter in detail, and one of the cases where taking medicine is obligatory is when the disease may harm others,” the scholars observed.
“This may apply to the case of Covid-19, which is extremely contagious.”
Vaccine Is Halal?
In a recent ruling, the Fatwa Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also concluded that the vaccine was halal.
In doing so, the UAE scholars also reject the argument that some of the vaccines contain gelatin and that’s why they were Haram.
The scholar argued that the substance used in some of the shots was medicine, not a foodstuff – and “the need to save life overrides any normal religious observance, such as the prohibition of pork”.
The writer is Freelancer, associated with Medical Profession ,working towards PhD in Healthcare Management.