Those fasting in Ramadan can take jab: Cleric

A‘fatwa’ issued by a prominent Sunni cleric here has said that those observing fast during the holy month of Ramadan can get vaccinated for Covid-19.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, in a fatwa, said: “At a time when vaccination has become a necessity to stay safe from Covid-19 pandemic, devotees can go for vaccination while fasting for Ramadan.”

“Roza observed by devotees does not break due to Covid vaccination, which means that those who wish to and are allowed to get vaccination, should do so. Vaccination is an intramuscular injection, hence not digested. Therefore, it will not break your fast. We are encouraging Muslims to go for vaccination as a part of their commitment to their well-being,” said Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali.

To help fasting Muslims during Ramadan, helplines are run by clerics and these are flooded with questions related to vaccination. There are women-centric helplines too where questions are being answered by women educated in Islamic laws.

Among other queries that callers have put forth recently ahead of Ramadan include if a devotee is experiencing Covid symptoms, how should he/she observe the fasting month, and what is the code of law to avoid Covid-19 or any other infection or disease. “Those who are experiencing Covid symptoms should immediately get themselves tested and not observe roza this time.”

Maulana Mahali recently got himself vaccinated and asked Muslims to shed hesitancy and get themselves vaccinated. —