LEGALITY OF IMMUNISATION IN ISLAMIC LAW

Abstract

Immunisation is considered as one of the modern medical marvels, an instrument against communicable diseases. Saving millions of lives every year from deadly diseases. It is well established that life is sacred in Islamic law and as such Islamic legal maxims and objectives of Islamic law ensure the safety and security of human life. While Islamic law ensures the safety and security of life, it also emphasises on the important of avoiding prohibited processes and ingredients by Muslims. Thus the legality and permissibility of any preventive or medical treatment is based on the legality of its process, permissibility of ingredients used and necessity of such a process or ingredient in accordance to objectives of Islamic law. This paper explores the legality of immunisation in Islamic law by analysing objectives of Islamic law and Islamic legal maxims to establish Islamic medical ethics and legality of precautionary medical measures. Data is obtained by analysing primary sources of Islamic law, conventional and contemporary scholarly literature, Also this paper briefly discusses the legality of vaccine mandates, social distancing and lock-downs in Islamic law.