Health Insurance

Question ID: 
182
akh*** asks:

Question

Assalaam Respected Scholar (i) Is Health insurance permissible in Islam? I have heard that it is not but we see many muslims taking benefit of this health insurance by making small monthly contributions and benefits from health facilities. Again if it is not permissible, I strongly suggest awareness should be created towards this. (ii) One further suggestion - regarding halaal certificates etc, i would suggest that the process and procedures are made public so that this can create a better understanding and act as a watchdog as well to places we are eating where halaal certicates have been given. Jazak Allah Akhmez

Answer

Wa alaikumus salaam warahamatullahi wabarakaatuh, (1) Exchange of a given amount of money for a specific service or for a define period of time is known as Ijaarah (Leasing) in Shariah. In the light of this definition the medical insurance as presented by you would be permissible providing it does not include any material thing such as medication.(2) Please refer to our latest halal booklet to see whether it satisfies your suggestions.