Permissibility of Insurance Policies
Adil Salahi, Arab News

 
Q.1. Many insurance policies are available on the market, such as life, medical and professional quality insurance. What is the Islamic view on these?

Nasir

A.1. Scholars differ in their view on insurance, with some saying that it is forbidden and others pronouncing it as permissible. Therefore, it is necessary to examine their views very carefully. The late Shaikh Mustafa Al-Zarqa, who was one of the top Islamic scholars of the 20th century, wrote a book on insurance, looking at all aspects of it. He concluded that all insurance is permissible, as it is a form of cooperation among a group of people to reduce the effects of an adversity that befalls any member of that group. He discusses the objections raised against insurance in a highly scholarly way, and rebuts all arguments. I find his verdict very convincing, particularly because he was very thorough in his work, able to analyze problems of modern life in the light of Islamic guidance.

 

IMPORTANT: Questions are answered by: Sheikh Adil Salahi. He can be reached at: islam@arabnews.comQuestions on religious matters may be sent to the following address which is being normally forwarded to the appropriate channel for reply and clarification:Islam in Perspective Section, Arab News, P O Box: 10452, Jeddah-21433, SAUDI ARABIA

 

Comments

Wed, 2007/08/29 - 02:38

Assalamu Alaikkum

No one can comments about islam without Al Quran and Hadis proof. you mentioned about Insurance that all are permisable but no proof on that.

Please let me know the proof of the issue only from Al Quran and Sahih Hadis.

Abdul Haleem

Tue, 2008/04/29 - 15:53

Assalamu Alaikkum Brothers & Sisters

and there is no proof that it can not or should not be done so actually this is where we have to use our own sences and mind.... if anything its a matter of... can you afford to pay for a financial back-up plan... because literally that is what insurance really is...

Do not make haraam on your own for that is a sin...

Ayeshah
Allah Hafiz

Sat, 2008/03/15 - 19:00

I agree with his conclusion, this is really done out of necessity the costs of every individual having to put up these costs on there own would be staggering. The only issue here is are these insurance company's giving you a fair policy for all this money. Insurance company's should perhaps focus more on becoming a service industry and offer some other perks instead of a risk type business.

Fri, 2008/09/12 - 07:34

Asslamu Alaikum all

My comment on Islamic Insurance is that yes it is permissible according to the general rule " The basic (asl) in a transaction is that it is permissible" means if shariah doesnt forbid the transaction (muamala) it is permissible. So who ever says that Insurance is haraam (forbidden) he should bring evidence from the sources of shariah for his saying. Yes in conventional Insurance there are some problemetic clauses, which are not in Islamic insurance scheme. That is what i know the knowledge is with Allah alone.

Wed, 2008/10/15 - 16:29

SAlAM,

I am so happy i got the reference regarding insurance policies according to Islamic point of view i really wanted to read the book of Late Professor Shaikh Mustafa AL-Zarqa(Islamic Scholar)if u could tell me the name of the book.

Regards
Nadia jamal

Mon, 2009/03/09 - 08:39

dear you may read book of Late ProfessorShaikh Mustafa Al Zarqa at google books at address
http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=7X8bKjnsHO8C&pg=PA63&lpg=PA63&dq=mustafa+al+zarqa+and+life+insurance&source=bl&ots=DaJ4IUj_W1&sig=TSkuqx984cf42pX6hPtYXKIuU2k&hl=en&ei=iAq1SdefB5iq6wP90oi6BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result

Assalaam Waalaykum,

I am in Marketing field where i should sell the Life Insurance Policies

Can Muslims do the marketing job in insurance?
Can Muslims sell the Life Insurance Policies to others as part of the job?

Please clarify these, waiting for your immediate reply

 

Inaitulla.SK

Mon, 2010/01/18 - 10:33

Evidence for prohibition of commercial insurance

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/8889
http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/130761

33:36 (Y. Ali) It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path

Fri, 2011/01/21 - 02:29

Sorry sir , islam doesn't allow any insurance policies, modernity doesn't change the laws of Islam , any Sheikh whoever it is who will try to bend the laws of islam for fitting it into modern society has stepped outside the fold of islam and those who follow him also are outside the fold of Islam so beware before you die, cuz there are no excuses before Allah

Mon, 2011/01/24 - 06:02

Salemu aleikum wr wb,
if may consider youto vist the following pages it may help you to learn more about Islamic finance. There are several ways to invest and do some for the future. The majority of the High recognized Sheikhs in the islamic world agree that under particular curcimstances it is allowed to insure and invest. To make it short just read yourself. http://www.ethicainstitute.com/
http://www.ifibaf.com/index.php/homepage
Inscha Allah it may help you.
Salemu Aleikum wr wb

Mon, 2013/01/21 - 12:47

AsSalaamu Alaiykum, I am a muslima recently hired with an Insurance company. I have seen my brothers anD sisters die and have no burial insurance to take care of their final needs. I have heard my people say Allah will provide and their rationale is that the community would be responsible for their burial. Is this what Allah has decreed that every Muslim community is responsible for each muslim's burial, please enlighten me. Masha Allah my reasoning is "better to have and not need than to need and not have" and that includes medical, dental, life and mortgage insurance, that way as it is obligatory for each muslim to be RESPONSIBLE for their financial affairs and not leave them behind for loved ones to stress over by having insurance for that sole purpose I have fulfilled my Islamic obligation to my Lord! ALHAMDULILLAH!

Thu, 2013/02/14 - 13:30

Assalamu Alaikkum

I am a Financial professional that is developing a course of study for Halal investing and financial planning for followers of the Islamic faith. Insurance has been an issue that I want to ensure I provide the correct advice. Where is the best place to research all the issues surrounding Insurance, and what are the correct refferences in Al Quran?