Medical Aid
Question:-
What is your view in regards to medical aid? If one voluntarily subscribes to a medical aid policy, will it be permissible to use? What if it is enforced by one’s employer? Lastly, what if medical treatment is not available at government hospitals?
Answer:-
Under normal circumstances, our Darul Ifta doesn’t approve of medical aid polices, due to it containing the element of interest and gambling which are Haraam, and we therefore advise abstention.
If it is enforced by one’s employer, whereby one has absolutely no choice in the matter but to subscribe to the policy, then it will be permissible to use.
If government hospitals do not provide treatment for certain illnesses and the treatment is only available at private hospitals, but taking treatment at such hospitals is unaffordable, then one may be permitted to subscribe to a medical aid policy under such conditions. However, the matter should be referred to a Allah-fearing Mufti before reaching conclusion in the matter.