Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I am working one of Insurance Co. in Saudi Arabia as Technical Secretary. As i heard & as per my knowledge Insurance is Haram in Islam. I want leave this Job, but I am unable to do this, once i try to take release from my present sponsor & joined other co. and worked about 8 months later my sponsor called me back asked me to rejoin in his Ins. Co. again, he reused me to give release as he promise me before otherwise he will send me back to India on exit. So in this kind of situation i am still continuing with the same job in Ins. co. and I cant go on exit because i am a married person and i have responsibilitie and now i am staying with my family here. I dont have bank balance to purchase another visa or i cant stay withou salary even one month.

So kindly advise me in this kind of situation what is the better option for me.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Working insurance sector

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Beloved brother in Islam, it is not that the concept of insurance per se which is illegal or prohibited in Islam, but rather what is ‘haraam’ and forbidden in Islam is the ‘interest-based’ aspect which is utilized by the conventional insurance companies during their transactions when conducting conventional insurance business.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 274-276:

But those who devour ‘riba’ become like the one whom Shaitaan has bewitched and maddened by his touch. They have been condemned to this condition because they say, “Trade is just like ‘riba”, whereas Allah has made trade halaal and ‘riba’ haraam. Henceforth, if one abstains from taking ‘riba’ after receiving this admonition from his Lord, no legal action shall be taken against him regarding the ‘riba’ he had devoured before: his case shall ultimately go to Allah. But if one repeats the same crime even after this, he shall go to Hell, where he shall abide for ever! Allah deprives ‘riba’ of all blessing and develops charity, and Allah does not like an ungrateful, sinful person.

Allah says further in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 278:

O Believers!, fear Allah and give up that ‘riba’ which is still due to you, if you are true believers. But if you do not do so, then you are warned of the declaration of war against you by Allah and His Messenger!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa verse 161:

That they took ‘riba’, although they were forbidden. And that they devoured men’s substance wrongfully. We have prepared for those among them who reject faith a grievous punishment (of Hell Fire)!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verses 130-132:

130 O ye who believe! Devour not ‘riba’ doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah; that ye may (really) prosper.

131 Fear the Fire which is prepared for those who reject faith.

132 And obey Allah and the Messenger; that ye may obtain mercy.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2829 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

Ali said he heard Allah's Messenger (saws) invoke the curse of Allah on those who took usury, those who paid it, those who recorded it, and those who refused to give sadaqah.

Almost all the conventional insurance companies transact their business based on interest, and it is this interest aspect which is deemed absolutely haraam in Islam.

There is absolutely no doubt that the conventional banking and insurance systems are based on the system and concept of ‘riba’, and even though one might not be involved himself in consuming ‘riba’, their working in such institutions would make them an accomplice in facilitating what has clearly been declared forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (saws).

Your Question: So kindly advise me in this kind of situation what is the better option for me.

Respected brother, the best option would obviously be to seek to employ your talents and earn your livelihood in a manner wherein there is absolutely no doubt regarding its permissibility in Islam.

If in your opinion you would put yourself and your family in a bigger trial if you were to immediately leave this job….it would only be prudence that you strive your utmost to seek another lawful employment…and as soon as you find your self another lawful employment, you terminate your services with the conventional insurance sector.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 65 Surah Talaq verse 2 (part):

And for those who fear Allah He (ever) prepares a way out.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan