Jakarta – Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) has considered that one of the effective methods to detect if a person is infected COVID-19 is by taking a swab test.
Swab Test is a laboratory examination to detect the genetic material from cell, bacterial, or viruses by taking a sample from sputum test, mucus, or fluid from the nasopharynx (the part of the upper throat that is located behind the nose and the roof of the oral cavity) and oropharynx (the part between the mouth and throat).
Moreover, MUI has also considered that swab test becomes the health protocol if a person intends to traveling or joining an event that is attended by a group of people.
The health protocol as mentioned above, as long as the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended, will still be carried out even though during Ramadan to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19, and this raises questions from the public about the law of swab testing while fasting.
By the whole of the considerations, the MUI issued a fatwa regarding the law of the swab test for the detection of COVID-19 while fasting to be used as a guideline.
Through Fatwa No. 23 of 2021 concerning the Swab Test Law for the Detection of COVID-10 When Fasting, MUI states that the swab test does not invalidate fasting. And Muslims who are fasting are allowed to carry out a swab test for the detection of COVID-19.
FATWA OF INDONESIAN COUNCIL OF ULAMA
Number: 23 of 2021
On
SWAB TEST FOR COVID-19 DETECTION WHILE FASTING
To stipulate: FATWA ON SWAB TEST FOR COVID-19 DETECTION WHILE FASTING
First: General Provisions
In this fatwa, what is meant by:
A swab test is a laboratory examination to detect genetic material from a cell, bacteria, or virus by taking a sample of sputum test, mucus, or fluid from the nasopharynx (the part of the upper throat that is located behind the nose and the roof of the oral cavity) and the oropharynx (the part between the mouth and throat).
Second: Legal Provisions
1. The implementation of the Swab test as in the general provisions does not invalidate the fast.
2. Muslims who are fasting are allowed to take a Swab test for Covid-19 detection.
Third: Recommendations
1. The public is urged to comply with health protocols to be safe from transmission of COVID-19.
2. The government should strictly implement and supervise the implementation of health protocols so that the COVID-19 pandemic will end soon.
Jakarta, Sha’ban 24th 1442 H / April 7th, 2021
(Source: mui.or.id | covid19.go.id)
The complete fatwa can be seen by clicking here
