Q.  “ What is the ruling on taking medicines/treatment before the illness occurs, such as vaccinations (at-Tat`eem)? ”

A. “ There is no harm in taking medicines/treatment if he fears that an illness may occur, because of the presence of an epidemic (wabaa·); or because of other reasons, on account of which he fears that illness may occur. So there is no harm in taking a medicine to repel the ailment which he fears. This is because of the saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) in the authentic hadeeth:

“Whoever takes seven dates of al-Madeenah in the early morning, then he will not be harmed by sorcery or poison.” 

This is a case of repelling an affliction prior to its occurrence. So likewise if he fears an illness and takes a vaccination against the illness which is occurring in the land, or in any place: there is no harm in tha,t as a case of prevention: just as an illness that has occurred can be treated with the medicine for that illness.                                                       

However it is not permissible to wear amulets and charms to ward off  illness, or the jinn, or the evil-eye, since the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) forbade that; and he -`alaihis-Salaatu was-Salaam- made clear that this is from lesser shirk, so it is obligatory to beware of that.”

[ Shaikh `Abdul-`Azeez ibn Baaz –rahimahullaah-: ‘Majmoo` Fataawaa wa Maqaalaat mutanawwi`ah’ (6/26-27).]

Translated by Abu Talhah rahimahullaah.