Muftis: Vaccination will not invalidate one’s fast

PETALING JAYA: Fasting during Ramadan should not be a hindrance for Muslims to take their Covid-19 vaccination, say state muftis and health experts.

Terengganu mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifly Muda said Muslims were encouraged to take the Covid-19 vaccine, adding that it would not invalidate their fast.

“It’s permissible because the injection does not go through any of the body cavity,” he said yesterday.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to sunset, which includes abstaining from eating and drinking, prompting some in the community to turn to religious experts for guidance whether the vaccination will invalidate their fast.

Sabah mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar also said that the Covid19 injection was permissible and did not go against Islamic teachings.

“The jab does not go through any open body cavity like the mouth, nose or ear,” he said.

Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said the 52nd state fatwa council meeting also made a similar decision to allow Muslims to take the jab during the fasting month.

“The medical injection does not go through any open body cavity and does not act as a replacement for eating or drinking,” he said.

He said a person’s fast was accepted as long as all the necessary requirements for it were fulfilled.

“Don’t believe all the disinformation from online sources like Facebook which claims that the vaccine may invalidate your fast,” said Mohd Asri.

On March 23, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said that Muslims in the country were allowed to receive the Covid-19 injection during the Ramadan month.

He added that the decision was made in a special meeting held by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs two months ago.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said Muslims should not worry about taking their Covid-19 injection during Ramadan.

“It has very little side effects, and if people have any pain after taking the injection, they can take paracetamol during buka puasa,” he said.