COVID-19 inoculation will not break Ramadan fasting, Dubai grand mufti says

Dubai’s Grand Mufti Shaikh Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz Al Haddad has said taking the COVID-19 vaccine will not break a Muslim’s fasting during Ramadan.

“The vaccine does not break any fast because it is taken intramuscularly like all other intramuscular needles, so it is permissible for the fasting person to take the jab,” said Al Haddad, also the head of the Fatwa Department at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, reports the Gulf News.

Regarding the ruling on fasting, a Muslim may feel symptoms of fatigue as a result of COVID-19 or taking a vaccine, which prompts him to vomit or take painkillers, Al Haddad said that unintentional vomiting does not break the fast.

“The Messenger of Allah Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), said, “Whoever is overcome by vomiting, he does not make up the fast. Whoever vomits deliberately, let him make up the fast.”

 “If he does not take any of the medicines that break the fast, then his fast is valid, and if he takes painkillers he has broken his fast, and there is no blame for him to break his fast if he is tired and needs to break the fast, then he is sick and has to make up the fast.”

Month of fasting, Ramadan, is expected to start from April 13 or April 14 this year subject to moon sighting. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during the month. A fasting person is not allowed to take food, water or medicine through the open passages such as the mouth, the nose, etc, or intravenously.