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COVID-19 vaccine does not break Ramadan fast
3-24-2021
Month of fasting, Ramadan, is expected to start from April 13 this year subject to moon sighting. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during the month.
Shaikh Dr. Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz Al Haddad, Grand Mufti and Head of the Fatwa Department at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, told Gulf News on Sunday That’s “Taking a COVID-19 vaccine will not break a Muslim’s fast during Ramadan.”
The vaccine does not break any fast because it is taken intramuscularly like all other intramuscular needles, so it is permissible for the fasting person to take the jab, said Al Haddad explaining that it does not break the fast of the person. A fasting person is not allowed to take food, water or medicine through the open passages such as the mouth, the nose, etc, or through intravenously.
Shaikh Dr. Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz Al Haddad
Al Haddad also explained that the COVID-19 examination swabs that are taken from the nose or through blood drops do not break the fast, so it is permissible to take them, because the nasal swab does not contain any substance that enters the cavity, rather a sample is taken to be examined outside, and the blood comes out. Falsh or clouds do not break the fast according to the majority of scholars, unlike the Hanbali.
Taking medicines
“If he does not take any of the medicines that break the fast, then his fast is valid, and if he takes painkillers he has broken his fast, and there is no blame for him to break his fast if he is tired and needs to break the fast, then he is sick and has to make up the fast.”
Regarding the ruling on fasting, a Muslim may feel symptoms of fatigue as a result of COVID-19 or taking a vaccine, which prompts him to vomit or take painkillers, Al Haddad said that unintentional vomiting does not break the fast. The Messenger of Allah Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), said, “Whoever is overcome by vomiting, he does not make up the fast. Whoever vomits deliberately, let him make up the fast.”
Dr Mohammed Eyada Alkobaisi, Grand Mufti in the Fatwa Department at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, said scholars agree that the intramuscular and intravenous needles do not invalidate or break one’s fast, as long as they are non-nutritious.
Therefore, taking the Covid-19 jab while fasting is permissible, and will not affect the fast of a Muslim.
“The Fatwa Department at the Islamic Affairs in Dubai issued an official fatwa regarding the Covid-19 vaccine while fasting," he said. "It stated that it is permissible for the fasting person to receive the Covid-19 vaccine and it does not affect the validity of his fast. Because it is administered through the muscle of the hand from where it spreads into the body, and it does not reach the stomach from the mouth. Therefore, it is like all non-nutritious intramuscular and intravenous needles that the fasting person is permitted to take, (and this ruling is) without significant disagreement among scholars.”
However, he added that, if after taking the vaccine, a person experiences some side-effects and needs to take a medicine or break the fast, it is permissible and he can break the fast then and make up for it by fasting another day.
Dr Sanjay Khator, specialist pulmonologist at Zulekha Hospital in Dubai, said there have been no studies that state that fasting can increase risk of Covid. On the contrary, he said, fasting for a limited number of hours — such as during the Ramadan fast that may go up to 12-15 hours — is highly beneficial to the immune system and can boost one's immunity.
Elaborating, he said: “Fasting can regenerate your entire immune system as it gives rest to your cells so they can regenerate. In fact, fasting is beneficial for people suffering from damaged immune systems, such as cancer patients on chemotherapy. It can also help the elderly, whose immune systems weaken with age, by giving a boost to their system and helping them fight off even common diseases."
The doctor highlighted that once the fast has ended, one must eat nourishing food and hydrate well. "Fasting is a simple way of giving rest to your stomach and digestive system, thereby giving the cells time to rest, regenerate and work better,” he said.
Dr Khator advised that it is better to take the jab either after suhoor or iftar. “I would advise residents who will be observing Ramadan fasts to take the vaccine either after iftar or after suhoor, so that the stomach is not completely empty.”
Dr Hammad Khan, emergency physician at Prime Hospital, opined that fasting is not a contraindication to vaccine. “Vaccine has no relation to food intake. However, having a moderate meal and water intake prior to vaccine is always better. For those who are fasting, make sure to drink plenty fluids during suhoor (early morning meal).
He added: “Ideally, the fasting individual might be hypoglycemic at the end of the day; hence, it would be best to get the jab at the beginning of the day. Vaccine provides immunity. It is not a supplement to reduce thirst or hunger and has been approved by religious scholars.”
Talking about the benefits of fasting, especially during the pandemic, Dr Khan said: “Fasting reduces cholesterol, obesity and risk of heart disease. These can be deadly if combined with Covid-19. Fasting also increases the rate of excretion of toxins out of the body which improves health.”
“Taking the COVID-19 vaccines currently licensed in the UK does not invalidate the fast, as per the opinion of Islamic scholars. Individuals should not delay their COVID vaccinations on the account of Ramadan,” the British Islamic Medical Association said in a statement.
The NHS Race and Health Observatory’s director, Dr Habib Naqvi, told The Independent newspaper said there were some concerns for Muslims taking the vaccine during the daytime and feeling unwell after being vaccinated, with some concerns being raised about taking pain relief medication post-vaccination.
“We need to tackle and address early concerns raised by Muslim communities who may be offered their vaccinations whilst fasting and working in frontline and supporting roles. There is no reason why a first or second dose vaccine cannot be administered during Ramadan. The content is halal, and receiving it will not invalidate the Ramadan fast, as per the opinion of Islamic scholars,” Naqvi told The Independent.
“Coronavirus vaccination is classified under preventive medicines for individuals, as recommended by the Islamic faith, particularly in times of pandemic diseases when the healthy happen to be prone to infections due to the high risk of contracting the disease, therefore posing risk to the entire society,” the council said at the time.
“We need to tackle and address early concerns raised by Muslim communities who may be offered their vaccinations whilst fasting and working in frontline and supporting roles. There is no reason why a first or second dose vaccine cannot be administered during Ramadan. The content is halal, and receiving it will not invalidate the Ramadan fast, as per the opinion of Islamic scholars,” Naqvi told The Independent.
“Coronavirus vaccination is classified under preventive medicines for individuals, as recommended by the Islamic faith, particularly in times of pandemic diseases when the healthy happen to be prone to infections due to the high risk of contracting the disease, therefore posing risk to the entire society,” the council said at the time.
Footnotes: Footnotes: https://gulfnews.com/uae/taking-covid-19-vaccine-does-not-break-ramadan-fast-says-grand-mufti-in-dubai-1.77668374
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