Inequality of Covid–19 Vaccine Distribution from the Maqasid al-Shari’ah Perspective

Faizi

Airlangga Surya Kusuma

Ahmad Khoiri

 

Abstract: The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a significant health crisis and global economic downturn. Fortunately, Covid-19 vaccines have been developed successfully. However, despite the availability of Covid-19 vaccines in nearly every country, there has been unequal distribution and implementation of the vaccine among high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries. This imbalance has implications for global health management in combating contagious and more severe virus outbreaks that could hinder global economic recovery if they were to occur again. This article posits that Islamic economics and maqasid al-Shari’ah (higher objectives of the law) offer valuable viewpoints to address this issue. Through a qualitative methodology and literature review, the analysis in the article illustrates that the disparity in vaccine distribution driven by capitalist motives has led to a global health and economic crisis, which runs counter to the maqasid al-Shari’ah. This goes against fundamental principles (dharuriyah) which include preserving life (hifzh al-nafs), preserving religion (hifzh al-din), preserving intellect (hifzh al-aql), preserving lineage (hifzh al-nasl), and preserving property (hifzh al-mal). Moreover, the uneven distribution of vaccines contradicts the principle of the common good, which encompasses tolerance, justice, and self-sufficiency. From the perspective of maqasid al-Shari’ah, the unequal distribution of vaccines infringes on human rights (al-huquq al-insaniyah) to lead healthy lives and achieve economic stability.