Question:
Assalamualaikum Warohmatullahi Wabarokatuh Exalted.
Can if we are a Muslim to buy general insurance policies to protect their possessions such as houses, cars, motorcycles, place of business, or when a Muslim travels.
Wassalamulakaikum Warohmatullohi Ta’allah Wabarokatuh
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
Many scholars take into consideration the circumstances. For those living in non-Islamic countries, who are mandated to abide by Insurance Law, there is no sin in complying with the local law. One sheikh advises Muslims: “If you are forced to take out insurance and there is an accident, it is permissible for you to take from the insurance company the same amount as the payments you have made, but you should not take any more than that. If they force you to take it then you should donate it to charity.”
In countries with exhorbitant health care costs, one could argue that compassion for those who are ill takes precedence over a dislike of health insurance. A Muslim has a duty to ensure that people who are ill can access affordable health care.
In Muslim-majority countries, and in some non-Muslim countries, there is often an alternative to insurance available called takaful. It is based on a cooperative, shared-risk model.
Imam Senad Agic, Ph.D.
Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
www.mesihat.com
