- EN (English)
| Fatwa ID: | 77826 |
| Title: | Offering medical-health insurance |
| Category: | Jobs & Works |
| Scholar: | Dr. Main Khalid Al-Qudah |
| Date: | 02/14/2009 |
I worked in the banking industry for over 15 years, but, thanks to all-Mighty Allah, I have been guided to the right path, so I have decided to leave this industry and open my own business in which I will be offering medical-health insurance to small businesses for their employees and owners. This will only be for medical-health. A person will pay a premium every month, and for that, they can go to a doctor or hospital if they get sick or for a general check-up. They will also be covered for any medical prescription, and if they require any surgery or hospitalization, they will pay a small co-payment of $20.00 to $40.00 for every visit, depending on the plan they choose. They cannot get any financial benefit from this; it is only for medical use. As you know, in this country health care is very expensive. I will not be involved in any other kind of insurance. My question is: Is this field of business halal? That is my main concern. Please, I will be waiting for your response before I proceed with this project.
Jazakum Allah kulla khayr.
The fact that Muslims in the U.S. are allowed to have medical insurance as needed because of the very high cost of medical treatment does not mean that it is allowed to work in this industry.
The basic rule according to all contemporary fiqh councils is that any commercial insurance is prohibited, except in case of exigent or dire need. This is because of the ambiguity and the uncertainty built into the contract, for neither of the two parties knows whether or not he will pay, how much he will pay and for how long. The aforementioned ambiguity contradicts the correctness of the contract according to Islamic transactions law.
Based on the above, I would recommend that you find another business, especially since the main reason you left the banking industry was to find a pure and halal source of income.
May Allah (swt) increase your Eeman and help you purify your earnings.
