Fatwa #3053716 September 2014United Kingdom
Is it permissible to accept a medical insurance cards from the company i work at?
Question
I work in UAE and the company has provided me & my family (my wife & son) with MEDICAL Insurance cards (from Oman Insurance - www.tameen.ae)
As per this plan, myself or any family member pay 50 AED every time for visit to a doctor. If the total bills are above 50 AED (towards x-ray, consultation etc. etc.) is taken care of (meaning that that the insurance company pays the hospital/ doctor etc.)Please be informed that I need not pay anything for these cards to my employer.
Now, please advise if using this kind service is halal or haram for me?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
We do not know the type of medical scheme in Oman. However, if it is a conventional medical aid scheme, then all such schemes are not permissible as they have three prohibited elements in them: interest, gambling and uncertainty. You may refer to the link attached below which is a transcript of Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Desais talk for more details. [1]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ismail Dawoodjee
Student Darul Iftaa
Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.