Prepared by MuslimMed Team

In situations involving vaccines that are typically considered impermissible, it is crucial for healthcare practitioners and patients to engage in shared clinical decision-making.[i] Note that this process is different than what takes place in secular medical shared decision models. In a Sharīʻah inclusive process, an assessment is made as to whether the vaccine is a “necessity” according to Sharīʻah principles. Ideal decision-making involves a conversation between the patient and a devout Muslim healthcare practitioner who is well-versed in both the patient’s clinical risk for severe illness or death and the guidelines of the Sharīʻah.

According to the Sharīʻah, a situation constitutes a necessity if there is a strong likelihood (ghalabah al-ẓann) of significant illness or death, particularly in patients who are at the extremes of age or have serious pre-existing health conditions. In these cases, the Sharīʻah recommends consultation with a competent Muslim physician who is both devout and knowledgeable about the relevant Islamic rulings.[ii] In scenarios where such a physician is not available, collaboration between an Islamic scholar and the healthcare practitioner is advised. Furthermore, vaccination requirements set by governments, workplaces, or educational institutions may also be considered a compelling need.[iii]

If it is jointly determined that the patient faces a significant health risk, the use of usually impermissible vaccines may be deemed permissible to mitigate this threat. This conditional permissibility remains in effect only until an alternative, permissible vaccine is available.

---

 [i] https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/acip-scdm-faqs.html#scdm

 [ii] وَجَوَّزَهُ فِي النِّهَايَةِ بِمُحَرَّمٍ إذَا أَخْبَرَهُ طَبِيبٌ مُسْلِمٌ أَنَّ فِيهِ شِفَاءً وَلَمْ يَجِدْ مُبَاحًا يَقُومُ مَقَامَهُ. قُلْت: وَفِي الْبَزَّازِيَّةِ وَمَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ – عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ – «إنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ شِفَاءَكُمْ فِيمَا حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ» نَفْيُ الْحُرْمَةِ عِنْدَ الْعِلْمِ بِالشِّفَاءِ دَلَّ عَلَيْهِ جَوَازُ شُرْبِهِ لِإِزَالَةِ الْعَطَشِ (رد المحتار على الدر المختار)

 [iii] Imdād al-Fatāwa Jadīd maʻa Hāshiyah Shabbīr Aḥmad al-Qāsimī, 9:262