In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Permissibility of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
As a Muslim, along with full Yaqeen and conviction that sickness and cure is only in Allah’s control, it is also necessary that with Tawkkul (reliance) in Allah one adopts permissible means that Allah has provided for cure. Exercising precaution in such matters and adopting worldly means is from the teachings and Sunnah of The Prophet ﷺ.
Taking medication as a cure or a preventative means is not contrary to Tawakkul. It is in fact part of Taqdeer (Allah’s decree) to take medication. It is mentioned in a Hadith:
عن أبي خزامة، قال: سئل رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم -: (أرأیت أدویة نتداوى بها، ورقى نسترقي بها، وتقى نتقيها، هل ترد من قدر الله شيئا؟ قال هي من قدر الله ) ابن ماجه- 3437
Abu Khuzamah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was asked: Do you think that the treatments we use, the Ruqyah we recite, and what we seek to protect ourselves with will deter us from Allah’s Decree?’ He replied: They (medication and means of protection) are all from Allah’s Decree. (Sunan Ibn Majah-3437)
Therefore a Muslim is duty bound to look after and protect one’s health, if sickness occurs then use those means which are Halaal and through medical expertise and experience, carry a reasonable expectation of cure.
In reply to various queries concerning permissibility of taking the COVID-19 vaccine, we emphasize that the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 is personal and should be taken after considering professional medical advice, one’s personal health, medical history and relevant risk factors.
From a Shari’ah and permissibility aspect, relating to the constituents of the vaccine in the light of the available data and statements from many of our senior and reliable Ulamaa, we have concluded the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is permissible for Muslims.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
