Most-asked question

Are vaccines and medicines with haraam ingredients permissible?

200 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 8 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Azaadville, Amjadi, MUBZ and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“He is a perfectly sane adult that is of understanding but squanders his wealth in purchasing drugs. According to Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah, it is not correct to withhold his personal funds, as in snatching away his funds from him and placing restrictions upon him, his potential and abilities will be destroyed.”

Ibn Masood — Controlling the inheritance of a drug addict · 14 Mar 2022

“In principle, the usage of medicines which contain any Haram substances will be impermissible. However, the scholars have permitted the use of such medicines when prescribed by an expert Muslim doctor with the surety or great hope that the medicine will cure the sick, and that there are no (Halal non-alcoholic) alternatives …”

Azaadville — Alcohol In Medicine · 5 Mar 2022

“It is permissible for one to take a vaccine while fasting. The vaccine will not invalidate the fast.”

AskImam — Will one’s fast break by taking a vaccine? · 12 Apr 2021

“Both forms of treatment are permissible (i.e. taking prophetic medicines as well as non prophetic medicines as long as the non prophetic medicines are halaal). It should be borne in mind that prophetic medicines or treatments (e.g. honey, blackseed, cupping, etc.) have specific benefits as reported in the Hadith.”

Mufti Online — Taking prophetic or non prophetic medicines · 2 Oct 2023

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Working For A Pharmaceutical Company Ibn Masood · 26 Aug 2026
  2. Homeopathic Medicine Azaadville · 1 Jul 2025
  3. Can I take homeopathic medicine which contains alcohol? AskImam · 21 Jun 2025
  4. MMR Vaccine MUBZ · 17 Sep 2024
  5. Taking prophetic or non prophetic medicines Mufti Online · 2 Oct 2023
  6. Inserting Oil Into The Ears Or Medicines In The Eye Amjadi · 2 Apr 2022
  7. Use of Botox for Beauty & Medicinal Purposes. Jamiat KZN · 30 Jan 2018
  8. Can I take Dutch medicines? MJC · 8 Nov 2023
  9. Drug Addiction Ibn Masood · 25 Jul 2023
  10. The Usage Of Marijuana For Medicinal Purposes Azaadville · 15 May 2024
  11. Alcohol in Homeopathic Medicine AskImam · 27 Nov 2024
  12. Medicinal Use and Sale of Marijuana MUBZ · 16 Jun 2024
  13. Controlling the inheritance of a drug addict Ibn Masood · 14 Mar 2022
  14. Alcohol In Medicine Azaadville · 5 Mar 2022
  15. Will one’s fast break by taking a vaccine? AskImam · 12 Apr 2021

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