Dr Abd Rahim Mohamad
The Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (Imam) takes a serious view of the resurgence of infectious diseases such as diphtheria which had virtually disappeared in Malaysia. Recently, there were 11 new cases of diphtheria (three confirmed and eight suspected), two of which resulted in death.
The disease re-emerged due to the reluctance of some parents to comply with the policy and advice of the Ministry of Health (MoH) to vaccinate their children according to the national immunisation programme (NIP).
Factors identified for this reluctance to vaccinate include misinformation, untruths and myths found aplenty on the Internet and social media.
The rejection of vaccination also stemmed from adopting pseudo-religious arguments about the status of vaccines by a few religious groups and individuals that do not have any expertise in science and the complexities of medicine.
The public should be aware that immunisation is a preventive public health strategy recognised and practised by many Muslim doctors who are experts, trusted and thiqah (reliable) worldwide. It is naive and irrational to allege these Muslim professional groups as being complicit with the enemies of Islam or that they do not understand the halal or non-halal status of the current vaccines. Muslim religious scholars and fatwa councils in Malaysia and the Muslim world have unanimously proclaimed that immunisation was consonant with the higher objectives of the Shariah (Maqasid Shariah)
Imam unequivocally concurs that immunisation is an amazing preventive public health strategy which saves lives, prevents intellectual and physical disabilities and is an economic plus to the nation. It complies beautifully with the Maqasid Shariah, which jealously preserves and protects human life.
Imam fully supports the NIP introduced by the MoH since the early 1950s, and calls on the rakyat to take advantage of this free immunisation policy. This is in line with the axiom of Fiqh, “the common good (maslahah) of the community overrides the individual.”
Imam urges the muftis and competent religious scholars to deliver the correct information about immunisation and to steer away from myths, fiction and conspiracy theories. Those who are still unclear or confused about the role and importance of immunisation are advised to consult expert doctors and qualified medical and nursing personnel.
“(O Muhammad), whenever We raised any Messengers before you, they were no other than human beings;(except that) to them We sent revelation. So ask those who possess knowledge if you do not know.” (An Nahl: 43)
The loss of life from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines is highly regrettable. It is naive to say that during the time of the Prophet or before this, there were no problems even though vaccines never existed then.
In the year 2000 alone, there were 40 million cases of measles resulting in half a million deaths. Four million had measles pneumonia complications. One in 1,000 suffered from measles meningitis. And one in 10,000 became blind from measles.
Transnational migration and the easy movement of people exposes every one of us to these highly communicable diseases. The H1N1 influenza which started in Mexico very quickly became a global pandemic in 2009.
As Muslims, we believe Allah is the One who sends diseases and its cures. We must also accept that as God’s creatures, we are always subject to the rules established by Him. Among these are that we fall ill when pathogens such as bacteria and viruses infect us.
He also created within the human body an immune system that can be activated either passively or actively against these pathogens. Medical experts through extensive research spanning decades have formulated effective and safe vaccines which are capable of actively stimulating the human immune system to produce antibodies to kill these germs and confer immune memory against future infections.
Imam urges the rakyat not to fall prey to the irresponsible and wayward anti-vaccine camp and certain religious scholars. Immunisation of the community to achieve herd immunity is an act of Fard Kifayah of every individual in society to acquire and promote benefits (jalb al-masalih) and prevent and protect from harm (dar’ al-mafasid).
Imam and its over 3,000 members of medical practitioners and health care providers is ready to offer professional expertise to institutions, departments, NGOs and the media who wish to obtain further information or organise discussions regarding immunisations.
Prof Datuk Dr Abd Rahim Mohamad is President of the Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (Imam).
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