26^th January 2021

PRESS RELEASE

Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre (GLMCC)

Vaccine Guidance

In the last 24 hours over 22,000 people have tested positive for the virus, over 600 people have died and over 3500 people have been admitted into hospital due to the virus in the UK. The situation is dire, and the NHS is cracking under pressure. Doctors nationwide are emphasising the life-threatening nature of the new strains of the virus, and strongly urge individuals to take all government and medical guidance seriously.

As a Masjid, we hold a position of responsibility when it comes to providing our community with sound Islamic guidance. We have witnessed the brutality of this virus in the number of funerals we managed over the first lockdown last year, and now worry as we witness the number of funerals begin to increase once again. We remain in close contact with key medical professionals, public health officials and other mosques on a weekly basis to monitor the situation and provide guidance to our community. We are not in a position to instruct individuals on personal decisions they choose to make in relation to their health, however, it is our duty to ensure that our community are acting in a way that is mature, responsible and in line with the teachings of the Salaf (our rightly guided predecessors).

Here are 6 points to consider about the vaccine from an Islamic standpoint:

1. The preservation of life is one of the core objectives of Islamic law (maqasid ash shariah) and Islam.
   Allah says in the Quran, ‘And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole of mankind’. [5:32]
2. We have an obligation to take every step possible to ensure that lives are saved, and the public is safe.
3. The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed us to make use of medical treatments.
   ‘Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it.’ (Abu Dawud)
4. As Muslims, we are instructed to consult the experts before making decisions in areas we hold no knowledge in.
   ‘Ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know.’ [21:7]
5. The true Healer is Allah the Almighty.
   ‘Oh Allah you are the Curer. There is no cure except through You. Cure (him or her), a cure that leaves no disease].’ (Bukhari)
6. Spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories is not allowed in Islam.
   ‘And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge of’[17:36]

Imam Mustafa Hussein (Dawah Lead, GLMCC) said in a recent sermon that ‘our health is a blessing from Allah, and one of the ways to preserve and protect this blessing is by wearing masks and staying at home. These are not just commands given to us by the government or health officials – they are entrenched in our religion. We must understand this.’

He went on to explain, ‘Islam is a pragmatic religion. It isn’t just about spirituality or theology, but it is a way of life. This is why our scholars do not make decisions without consulting experts […] in this case, the experts are the medical professionals.’

The sanctity of human life is not something to be taken lightly. Sharing conspiracy theories undermines the tireless effort that has been put in by scientists and doctors to quell national anxieties and provide effective solutions to this vicious virus. In this video, Dr Wasim Mir (BIMA) describes the sheer loss of life he has witnessed as an Intensive Care doctor and expresses his view on why he feels Muslims should get vaccinated. We advise our community to visit the BIMA website for further guidance on the vaccine from Muslim medical professionals.

Through regular consultation with Imams, experts and professionals, we are looking into the measures we can take at every stage to protect our community (both Muslims and non-Muslims). We hope to continue to serve our community to the best of our ability, as we have sincerely tried to throughout this pandemic. As a masjid, we urge Muslims to make fact-based decisions that are supported by experts and to share guidance that is sensible and protective to society as a whole.

GLMCC Management

Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre is a leading UK mosque situated in the heart of Birmingham serving the community since 1979.  Operating from its award-winning grade II listed Victorian building, GLMCC fulfills its mission of inspiring, educating and serving through its educational college, outreach work, welfare services, youth work, international humanitarian wing, as well as its fully functional mosque which is attended by thousands every week.

Recognised internationally, GLMCC is a multi-award-winning mosque, having won the 2019 British Muslim Award for Mosque of the Year, the Beacon Awards for ‘Best Run Mosque 2019.

For more information about or work and services visit: www.greenlanemasjid.org

Or access our annual report here: 2019 Annual Report