To vaccine or not to vaccine? A religious question and answer to the fatwas that it is halal and the alternatives

 Is the vaccine halal or haram and should it be taken?

There are some fears relating to taking the vaccine that it may contain haram substances, such as pork or non halal gelatine.  Non halal gelatine refers to gelatine made from an animal not slaughtered in the Islamic way, or from pigs.

Not only Muslims raise religious issues concerning the vaccines.  In fact there are many Christians who refuse to take the vaccine on religious grounds, saying it contains parts of fetal matter.

Jewish people also have issues with the vaccine and gave been refusing it on religious grounds.

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However, it seems that it is only the Muslim scholars and teachers who are trying to cite permissibility of the vaccine despite concerns about what it contains.

It seems that as usual many religious teachers and religious scholars have attempted to rush into allowing the vaccine and backing the mainstream pro vaccine ideology, which argues for its necessity.

It seems that many have not researched the reality of what the vaccine is, what it really does and whether it is truly necessary to save lives or if it can harm people.

In fact, even some of the fatwas concerning the vaccine are debatable.

For example, the argument that we can drink alcohol to save our lives is only in a very extreme situation in which there is nothing else available and a person feels sure that they will die if they don’t eat or drink something at that time.

If the only things available are alcohol and pork, then in such a situation it would be permissible to take enough to save ones life.

It is also not correct to say that forbidden things such as alcohol can be used as medicine.  A hadith states that:

 Allah sent down the disease and the cure, and He made a cure for every disease. So seek treatment, but do not use as medicine that which is haram.” (Abu Dawud)

Tariq ibn Suwayd al-Ju‘fi (may Allah be pleased him) asked the Prophet (PBUH) about wine and he forbade him or disliked his making it. He said: I only make it as a medicine. He (PBUH) said, “It is not a medicine; rather it is a disease.” (Muslim)

Therefore, medicine of treatments that contains forbidden substances are not permissible.  This is of course whether the substance is mixed with other substances or not.

Therefore, the argument that haram things can be used to treat people is not valid.

And are there any alternatives?  Of course there are many, and we will get to that.

Another argument put forward by some of these scholars is the argument that taking vaccines leads to saving lives.

They argue that it is important and necessary, as if it is a life saving in issue.

This puts the idea in people's minds that they must either take the vaccine or die.

However, because the vaccine was made people had to deal with Covid without a vaccine.  They relied on their immune system, natural or pharmaceutical medicines and healthy diet and rest.

Quite a few people I have been told had covid mildly and were hardly effected.

Others had more severe cases but still found ways to recover.

The human body has been created with its own defense system.

Looking after and strengthening this is probably the best solution and treatment of various illnesses.

We see that many unvaccinated people are still able to live healthy and normal lives and not all have had or will have covid.

If anyone is in need of greater protection or might benefit from vaccinations it is those people with lowered immune system function and the elderly.

Children should not be given vaccines and have things decided for them.

They are the ones who will be most affected long term if there are any issues.

Deciding for them is not ethical.

Also children don't tend to get the virus badly.  It is usually mild with them.

So what about the scholars who are encouraging the vaccine to save lives and saying it is halal, or even incumbent?

These scholars have clearly not researched the vaccine and whether it really does save lives or not.

It is incumbent on religious teachers and scholars to get the correct and balanced information before putting forward fatwas and religious rulings.

If they don’t have the correct information they cannot make religious rulings.

In fact, there are reports that some people have died after taking the vaccine.

Although it may not be the case with most people, there are people who may react very negatively to the vaccine.

Some peoples deaths are said to be directly related to taking the vaccine.

This means that there should be some caution in taking the vaccines at the very least.

There are many people who are said to have caught Covid after being vaccinated

So there again, the fatwa that it is something necessary to save lives can only be the case if it found that the virus does just that.

Rather, it may at times lead to illnesses, pains, death and catching the virus anyway.

Therefore, claiming that it is necessary and halal to save lives does not appear to be a valid argument and Allah knows best.

People have reported heart palpitations, tiredness and Covid symptoms and pains in their body after vaccination.

Menstruating women have reported more pain in their menstrual cycles and a disrupted cycle at times.

There is some worry it could affect fertility.

As a general method in Islam, there is a hadith that says:

Leave what makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.

We are also warned to stay away from doubtful matters, which are such issues, which are not clearly halal or haram.

Let us understand what the vaccine actually does to the body and whether it is something that is necessary for us anyway.

The vaccine is actually an injection of a small amount of the virus into the body, which is done to help the immune system develop its own antibodies and build up an immunity to the virus.

In fact, it is said that people who have contracted the virus previously have antibodies and a naturally built up immunity to the virus.

The vaccine itself does not guarantee a person will not catch the virus, or that they will not die from it.

Some research does show that vaccinated people are less likely to die from the virus, but we do mot know if this is directly due to he vaccine or if such  people are more cautious and so take all kinds of precautions against catching it.

There is also the “placebo effect,” which means that some people when they take anything that is given to them as a medicine or cure, will have a positive effect and unconsciously the body may create an immunity by itself.

Indeed, when people feel safe and less worried about catching an illness they are likely to have stronger immune systems than people who are worried.

This is another possible explanation.

However, it is simply a theory.

What we are sure about however, is that people can build up their natural immunity for free and without the injections, jabs and need for doctors and vaccines.

Signs of a healthy immune system are feeling energetic, positive mood, not getting ill quickly and general good health.

Signs of a lowered immune system are fatigue, tiredness, catching various illnesses, frequent infections, and low mood.

Factors that strengthen the immune system are: getting enough sleep, reducing stress, eating a proper nutritional diet, regular exercise, regular exposure to sunlight and good social connections and relationships.

On the other hand a lack of sleep, too much stress, a sedentary lifestyle, loneliness and poor nutrition can lead to a lowered immune system response.

There are some food items that have been found to lower risk of catching coronavirus.

For example, one doctor found that green tea, chocolate and grapes contain a substance that can protect against coronavirus.

It is a far more tasty and pleasing solution than the vaccines.

Places that use coconut oil in cooking have also been found to have a lower incidence of coronavirus.

Coconut oil is anti fungal, anti viral and anti bacterial, so it is useful in treating a variety of infections and illnesses.

Honey is another remedy that has been recommended by the Quran and hadith as a cure for many issues.

It may not prevent it by itself but can lessen its illness and help encourage a fast cure.

Black seed oil is used to treat various problems of the lungs.  I have not found any research relating to coronavirus but it seems likely to have positive effects.

It would be useful if research was carried out in this area.

We are told that black seed contains a cure for everything except death.

Liquorice tea has been used in China to treat coronavirus and is itself anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti inflammatory.

It does seem to have positive effects against the virus.

Other than food items, vaccines and so forth some of the best measures to protect us against most illnesses are good hygiene and cleanliness.

In Islam, regardless of coronavirus or not, we are recommended to wash our hands before and after eating, after entering the house, after using the bathroom and so forth.

We can clean and disinfect vegetables and food with vinegar and also keep the house clean.

This was found in the beginning to halt the spread of the virus.

In fact, people living with others who have had the virus did not contract it themselves when they cleaned the house thoroughly.

There is also a hadith from the time of Umar that says that if a contagious disease is found in a particular area then do not travel to that area.  If it is found in an area that a person is in they should not travel out of it.

This is to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and infections.

It makes more sense, costs less, and is more reassuring than having tests and vaccinations before travel.

It does not guarantee that a person will not catch the virus on the way and spread it without knowing. 

Even the person may not get sick with it themselves.

We should take precautions and unless there is a very pressing need for travel we should put off all travel until the coronavirus is less contagious.

Other than that, as we see in the Wuhan lab, people worried about catching the virus may wear protective clothing.

This is also much more effective than vaccines and seems like a sure way as not to catch the virus.

Therefore, in summary, I am not making a fatwa but it seems to be clear and obvious to me that the vaccines fall into the area of doubtful matters.  If they are found to contain haram substances then they would be haram.  

There is no clear evidence that they will save lives more than other means and people increasing their own immune system, keeping daily hygiene habits and avoiding travel.

There may be some fear of long term problems such as infertility or other harm after taking the vaccine.

Therefore, after seeing that there are safer and possibly better alternatives to the vaccine without such worries and fears of death, infertility or other harm it would seem that at the very least it is not recommended to take the vaccine.

Especially since it falls into doubtful matters and possibly haram.

If there are vaccines that are known not to contain haram substances then it would be permissible if no harm is found from them.

However, it is on a Muslim to research things thoroughly before taking them up.

No one can decide for others and people should do their own research and feel comfortable and sure of their own decisions.

There are also things that seem to be more effective and better than the vaccines, so we should always choose that which is better.

Therefore, although I am not anti vaccine or just rebellious, I fail to see any need or benefit to taking the vaccine and it may do more harm than good.

We can find safer alternatives.

Using things that may harm us as a treatment is not logical, or sane and does not count as 'medicine.'

What is important is that we are safe, well and halal.