Liputan6.com, Jakarta What is the ruling on the COVID-19 Antigen Swab and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test while fasting?The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a fatwa regarding the law that the Antigen Swab test and PCR during fasting do not cancel and are allowed.The law for the Antigen Swab test and PCR while fasting is contained in Fatwa Number 23 of 2021 concerning the Law on Swab Tests for Detecting COVID-19 while Fasting.Why is that so?Medically, the Antigen Swab test (from the nose) and the PCR Swab test (nose and throat) are both methods of wiping the nasopharyngeal cavity and or oropharynx using a tool such as a special cotton swab.The Swab method according to the law of the Antigen Swab test and PCR during fasting does not invalidate it, because it only inserts the device into the nostrils and throat without inserting materials such as food or other nutritional substances and does not cause injury.What is the argument?Here, Liputan6.com reviews the laws of the Antigen Swab and PCR tests during fasting and their arguments, Friday (25/3/2022).The circular instructions from the Minister of Home Affairs, the Covid-19 Task Force and the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation officially enforce the latest rules for airplane passengers.Now, the PCR test is mandatory as a condition for air transportation travel.The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a fatwa regarding the law on the Antigen Swab test and PCR while fasting.The law on Antigen Swab and PCR tests while fasting is stated in Fatwa Number 23 of 2021 concerning the Law of Swab Tests for Detecting COVID-19 while Fasting.The law on antigen swab and PCR tests while fasting in accordance with the MUI fatwa does not invalidate fasting.He emphasized that Muslims who are fasting are allowed to carry out antigen swab and PCR tests for the detection of COVID-19.In the fatwa, it is explained that it is legal to carry out an antigen swab test and PCR while fasting and does not break the fast because this is only part of the way to collect phlegm, mucus, or fluid from the nasopharynx (the part in the upper throat that is behind the nose and behind the sky). palate) and oropharynx (the part between the mouth and throat).The legal fatwa of the Antigen Swab and PCR tests during fasting was concluded from the medical considerations presented by dr.Andriani, M. Biomed from the Dept.Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty of Medicine – Covid 19 Test Network Lab, Tanjungpura University Hospital."Covid-19's habitat is the respiratory tract, so Covid-19 is detected through the back of the nose (nasopharynx) or mouth (oropharynx)," he explained.What are Nasopharyngeal Swabs and Oropharyngeal Swabs that make it legal for Antigen Swab and PCR tests while fasting not to invalidate?Understanding the Nasopharyngeal Swab is done by slowly inserting sterile dacron or rayon into the nose, by ensuring the position of the swab in the lower nasal septum, slowly into the nasopharynx.Then the Nasopharyngeal Swab which makes the Antigen Swab and PCR tests legal when fasting does not cancel is done with a slow circular motion until specimens are obtained from both nostrils.Meanwhile, the Oropharyngeal Swab, which makes the Antigen Swab and PCR tests legal when fasting does not invalidate the fast, is carried out at the location of the oropharynx mucosal wall (usually behind the pharynx) and avoid touching the tongue.The Swab method according to the law of the Antigen Swab test and PCR during fasting does not invalidate it, because it only inserts the device into the nostrils and throat carefully without inserting materials such as food, not food, or other nutritional substances and does not cause injury.1. Opinion of al-Mawardi in Kitab al-Iqna' fi al-Fiqhi al-Shafi'i:“The chapter that breaks the fast.A person's fast is invalidated for ten reasons, among which is the entry of something into the "jauf" whether it is nutritional or not."Where are al-Jauf's boundaries?2. Opinion of Imam al-Kasani in the Book of Bada'iu al-Shanai'u fi Tartib al-Syara'i (7/296):“Jaifah is a wound caused by a stab that reaches far.As for the places that if stabbed can injure the jauf are the chest, back, two ribs, the area between the genitals and the anus.Such a thing does not happen, if the wound is on the hands, the feet, nor the neck and throat, because the wound does not extend to the distance.”3. The explanation of Abu Bakr bin Muhammad Syatha in the Book of I'anatu al-Thalibin (2/261):“(And not breaking the fast because something reaches the nose) because it is the outside of the nose and because the bridge of the nose is part of the nasal cavity (khaisyum).And all the parts of the khaisyum are the outside of the nose.(until it passes the end of khaisyum) if it has passed that part then it invalidates the fast.If you have not crossed this limit, it does not break your fast."The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a fatwa regarding the law on COVID-19 vaccination during fasting.The law on COVID-19 vaccination during fasting is contained in Fatwa Number 13 of 2021 concerning the Law on COVID-19 Vaccination during Fasting.The law on COVID-19 vaccination while fasting is also in line with Fatwa Number 4 of 2016 concerning Immunization which has been issued by the Central MUI Fatwa Commission.Then how is the legal explanation for COVID-19 vaccination while fasting?Chairman of the MUI for Fatwa KH.Asrorun Niam Sholeh explained that the COVID-19 vaccination was carried out by intramuscular injection or by injection.So the law of vaccination for COVID-19 during fasting is that it is permissible and does not break the fast, provided it does not cause harm.“The COVID-19 vaccination by intramuscular injection (injection) does not invalidate fasting.The law for vaccinating COVID-19 for Muslims who are fasting by means of intramuscular injection is permissible, as long as it does not cause harm (dharar)," he explained.However, Niam recommended that the COVID-19 vaccination program be carried out at night even though the law on COVID-19 vaccination during fasting did not cancel it.The reason is, it is feared that the COVID-19 vaccination during fasting risks endangering the community because of their weak physical condition.The same thing was explained by Ustaz Hilman Fauzi launching CNNIndonesia, the law on COVID-19 vaccination during fasting may and may not cancel it with a note that the vaccine does not contain vitamins and food."We are allowed to take injections while fasting, as long as the injection does not contain elements of vitamins or food or a substance that can increase energy. Because it is the same as eating and drinking by mouth. And that invalidates the fast," he concluded.