Islam’s Position on Prevelant Forms of Insurance

What the Imam in your local Masjid said is correct, in that Insurance is unlawful (haram) according to Shariah.

The reason why all forms of commercial insurances prevalent in modern trade are unlawful and against the principles of Shariah, is that they have either an element of interest (riba) or chancing (qimar), both of which have been explicitly and sternly forbidden by Allah Most High in the Qur’an:

“Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he arises whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitted trading and forbade usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refrained (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returns (to usury) – Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.

Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty….

And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and His messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wrong not, and ye shall not be wronged.” [Qur’an, 2.275-279]

And, regarding chancing and gambling (qimar):

“They question thee about strong drink and chancing. Say: In both is great sin, and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness. And they ask thee what they ought to spend. Say: that which is superfluous. Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye may reflect.” (Qur’an, 2.219)

And:

“O ye who believe! Strong drink and chancing and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan’s handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed.” [Qur’an, 5.90]

The Ruling Regarding Prevalent Forms of Insurance

Insurance is chancing [= ‘relying on or inviting the risks of chance’ – Merriam-Webster’s Unlimited Dictionary] in the sense that the premiums are paid for certain, whereas the return is uncertain. You may loose all the premiums you paid or may receive in return more then what you paid. This is known as chancing. There is also interest as money is being exchanged here for money and one party pays less and receives more in return.

This is the reason why the great contemporary scholars from all over the world have declared all types of prevalent insurances unlawful (haram), unless when one is compelled to affect it by the Government.

The Islamic Fiqh Academy (Jeddah), and which consists of top recognized scholars from around the globe researched the issue in considerable depth. The meeting was attended by no less than 150 such scholars from 45 Islamic Countries, including my respected teacher Shaykh Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him), and they unanimously declared all types of prevalent insurances to be unlawful.

How About Car Insurance?

However, it should be remarked here, that since third party car insurance is a mandatory legal requirement for every car-owner, one can affect this kind of insurance, as it is not possible for one to avoid it.

Is There An Alternative?

Islamic financial institutions offer a viable and Islamically-accepted alternative, which is takaful, a form of cooperative insurance. Details of this are available through such institutions.

And Allah Knows Best