MUI Issues A Fatwa That Says COVID-19 Vaccination Does Not Cancel Fasting

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JAKARTA - The Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a fatwa on the COVID-19 vaccination that does not invalidate fasting. This decision was taken at a plenary meeting to discuss the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination during Ramadan.

"The government can vaccinate COVID-19 during the month of Ramadan to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 outbreak by paying attention to the condition of Muslims who are fasting. COVID-19 vaccination, which is carried out by intramuscular injection, does not invalidate fasting", said Head of Fatwa Division of MUI Asrorun Niam Sholeh quoted by Antara, Tuesday, March 16.

According to him, the current COVID-19 vaccination is an effort to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic through intramuscular injection. Intramuscular injection is done by injecting a drug or vaccine through a muscle.

In this way, according to MUI, the legal provisions of vaccination while fasting will not cancel the fast. This was stated in the MUI Fatwa Number 13 of 2021 concerning the Law of COVID-19 Vaccination when Fasting.

"The law of vaccinating COVID-19 for Muslims who are fasting by means of intramuscular injection is permissible as long as it does not cause harm (dlarar)", he said.

However, the MUI Fatwa Commission also recommends that the government be able to vaccinate COVID-19 at night to anticipate the presence of potential vaccine recipients whose physical condition is weak after undergoing fasting.

"The government can vaccinate COVID-19 at night in the month of Ramadan against Muslims who fast during the day and are feared of causing danger due to weak physical conditions", said Niam.

MUI appealed to the public not to worry about vaccinating while fasting, as long as they pay attention to their physical condition.

"Muslims must participate in the COVID-19 vaccination program implemented by the government to achieve group immunity and be free from the COVID-19 outbreak", continued Niam.