What is your opinion on vaccination for the baby? We are becoming a bit of holistic and practicing that in our daily lives. We have been seeing a Muslim holistic doctor and he told us to avoid any vaccine. He asked us to do our own research and then decide. We got all of our other kids fully vaccinated but now do not know what to do. Should we get our baby vaccinated as it is a norm and protocol, or should we deny any shot? Also, my doctor has asked me to take whooping cough vaccination as well so the baby can also get the benefits of that while in the womb. We do not know what way to go. Please guide us.
الجواب حامدا ومصليا
Every parent naturally wants to do what is best for their child. When it comes to medical-related issues, this is no different, as every parent wants to make the best decisions for their child's health. Medical professionals, depending on their area of expertise or discipline, often emphasize the benefits of vaccines, noting that certain diseases have been eradicated or nearly eradicated through vaccination.[1] However, some people remain skeptical about whether vaccines are still necessary, given that these diseases are now rare. Others may worry about side effects they may have heard about. The common counterargument is that if vaccinations are discontinued, the eradicated diseases could resurface, as is the case in certain populations where vaccine rates have declined.[2]
Ultimately, this is a matter that requires consultation with trusted medical professionals who can guide you according to your situation. There is no clear-cut answer from a sharʿī perspective on what a parent must do, as this is a matter of determining the best approach for one’s child. We advise you to make abundant duʿāʾ, asking Allah ﷻ to guide you to what is best and to protect your child, regardless of the approach you choose.
If you choose to vaccinate, it is important to ensure that the vaccine's ingredients are permissible according to Islamic law. If a vaccine contains impermissible ingredients, and there are no viable alternatives but there is a need to take it, then it would be permissible due to the principle of necessity.[3]
And Allah knows best.
Mf. Zeshan Ahmed
Senior Assistant Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago
Checked and Approved:
Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago
[1]Greenwood, Brian. “The contribution of vaccination to global health: past, present and future.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences vol. 369 (1645): 20130433. (June 2014) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4024226/#:~:text=Two%20major%20infections%2C%20smallpox%20and%20rinderpest%2C%20have%20been%20eradicated.
“History of Measles.” CDC, May 9, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html#:~:text=Measles%20was%20declared%20eliminated%20from,control%20in%20the%20Americas%20region.
[2]Phadke, Varun K et al. “Association Between Vaccine Refusal and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in the United States: A Review of Measles and Pertussis.” JAMA vol. 315,11 (March 2016): 1149-58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5007135/
Santhanam, Laura. “Measles cases are rising in the U.S. Here’s why misinformation about the vaccine persists today.” PBS News, February, 23, 2024. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/measles-cases-are-rising-in-the-u-s-heres-why-misinformation-about-the-vaccine-persists-today
[3]التداوي بلبن الأتان إذا أشاروا إليه لا بأس به هكذا ذكر صدر الشهيد رحمه الله تعالى وفيه نظر لأن لبن الأتان حرام والاستشفاء بالحرام حرام وما قال صدر الشهيد فهو غير مجرى على إطلاقه فإن الاستشفاء بالمحرم إنما لا يجوز إذا لم يعلم أن فيه شفاء أما إذا علم أن فيه شفاء وليس له دواء آخر غيره يجوز الاستشفاء به
(المحيط البرهاني، كتاب الكراهية والاستحسان، الفصل التاسع عشر: ٨٨٢؛ إدارة القرآن)
[بمحرم كالخمر ونحوها] قيل يجوز التداوي بالمحرم كالخمر والبول ان أخبره طبيب مسلم أن فيه شفاء والحرمة ترتفع بالضرورة فلم يكن متداويا بالحرام فلم يتناوله حديث النهي كما في حاشية أخي حلبي لكن فيه كلام كما لا يخفى تأمل
(مجمع الأنهر، كتاب الكراهية، فصل في المتفرقات: ٤١٧٧؛ العلمية)