Even before the controversy over the fatwa (opinion) related to Muslim women working in close proximity to men in offices has died down, the prestigious Sunni Muslim seminary, Darul Uloom, Deoband in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh has reportedly come out with a fatwa, which has decreed that in the light of the “Shariat,” opting for an insurance policy is against the tenets of Islam. The fatwa was issued by the Darul Ifta department of Darul Uloom in response to a query.
The seminary has reportedly declared that since the calculation of the money pledged in the policy is based on “interest,” it was un-Islamic to opt for one.
An insurance policy is essentially a contract between the person assured and the company in which a fixed amount is pledged to be paid to the person, or his nominee against losses and in the event of his death.
The Deoband decree held no meaning for hundreds and thousands of Muslims in India, who regularly opt for an insurance policy. For working Muslim men and women taking one in a public sector insurance company also entitles them to income tax rebate.
According Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, the Naib Imam of Lucknow's Aishbagh Idgah and member of the India Muslim Personal Law Board, who also heads the other notable fatwa issuing authority in North India, the Firangi Mahal here, said in the Indian situation for a Muslim opting for an insurance policy and using its money is “conditional.”
In the event of the assured person's death due to natural causes his, or her, nominee and the family members are allowed to use the premium money and the remaining amount which is calculated on the basis of interest has to be distributed among the poor and needy, Maulana Rasheed clarified.
The second condition is related to the death of the assured person in violent incidents like communal riots. “Since, incidents like communal violence become a State matter, normally compensation for the deceased persons is announced by the government. However, if no compensation is announced then his nominee and family can take the entire amount,” the Maulana said.
However, there is no such confusion among the Shia Muslims on whether to opt, or not to opt, for an insurance policy in the light of the “Shariat.” Shia cleric and Imam-i-Juma of the Asafi mosque in Lucknow, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said it is “jaayez” (lawful). It is even permitted in Iran, he said. “There is no controversy among the Shias on the subject,” Maulana Jawwad added.
A popular view among the Muslims is that the fatwas should be seen in the context in which they have been issued, and not generalised.
Keywords: insurance policy fatwa, Sunni Muslim seminary
Comments:
The laws and constituion of a country must be applied to all regardless of caste and creed. We see the law implemented in Belgium and France. The judicial system in these two Europian countries emphatically implement the law of the lands regardless of what faith they belong to. Laws enacted are for all those who live in Belgium or France. Fatwas in India are against the Indian constitution as there is no provision in it for such laws namely Fatwas for followers of a specific religion. Are Christians to have their own laws despite their Indianness. Fatwas in India are laws within laws. Followeres of Islam must subject themselves to the Indian laws which gives women the freedom they need for emancipation. Fatwas in an open society like India negates the very essence and values of Indian democracy. Besides it arrests the freedom of women and a step in the wrong direction for a country within a country. If fatwas are to be applied to the muslim community, that raises eye brows as to why Shariya laws cannot be applied to same community.
This article is unwanted.This information is in public domain that muslims are not to take interest money.This is against the tenets of islam.It may not conform to your standards.Then some day you would show surprise to muslims not doing idol worship.
Muslim rule are very rigid definitely no doubt it,but still no ulema is able to say exactly what sud happen.according to the Quaran interest money is ha-ram,contrary liability of the family is ur responsibility,all the rules are based on ur imaan,so if ur taking insurance policy for making profit it is the matter of consideration.why Islamic people are not preferring term insurance plan which does not prefer any interest income.
I do agree that muslims dont go for insurance,but i want to also add as its written in most of the documents issued by the rights for muslims..says that insurance is ilegal only where there is islamic hukumat..like irak,iran,abu dabi..as there is islamic hukumat.
I also respect the cast but also its true that if we realy want to believe all these fatwa's then its also ilegal to use the cooking Gas,as per the fatwa's the cooking has to been done only on fire woods as the essence is pure and its with the permission of allah tala.
A perfect muslim person should not cut the beared,as its also against the islamic law.
Today's world is changing and we have to go as per the tradition's.
I request everyone to please buy insurance as it will really help in any uncertainity to the bread winner of the family member.
As dying to early is problem and living to long is also problem.
Please make sure because of you not buying life insurance can make your family members to come on road if the liablities are more where none of the god will help anyone.God has given you option to fight but not against laws.