COVID-19 vaccination can’t break fasting – Islamic cleric

By ZAHRADDEEN YAKUBU SHUAIBU

A renowned Islamic cleric from Kaduna State, Sheikh Halliru Maraya, has said that Muslims can take the COVID-19 vaccine while doing their fasting as it never affects or breaks the fasting.

Sheikh Maraya also stated that it is compulsory upon all Muslims to get vaccinated as a protection against communicable diseases, as it has a provision in Islam.

The cleric, who stated this on BBC Hausa service on Wednesday, said: “The prophet PBUH has said Almighty Allah has not sent down any disease to the earth until He sends its cure, and Coronavirus is not an exception.”

He urged all Muslims to accept the COVID-19 vaccine as it’s like obeying the command of the prophet PBUH on medications.

He added that with over 500 million people receiving the vaccines all over the world so far, it is a clear indication that it is safe and effective.

“I urged all Muslims in the country to get vaccinated to prevent contracting or spreading this disease.

“Accepting the vaccine is like obeying the command of the prophet PBUH because he commanded that we should seek medication against diseases.

“Also, it is mandatory upon all of us to try not to harm anyone or be harmed by any.

“So, the prophet PBUH said ‘do not be harmful and don’t harm anybody.’ It is on this command that all of us should take the vaccine so that we did not harm ourselves nor spread the disease on anybody.

“So even if you are fasting, you can still get vaccinated.

“Because injections that go through the nerve or body do not breakfasting,” the cleric has said.

He advised that people should listen and obey the instructions of health workers to be guided on the preventive measures against the disease. (Daily Trust)