Purchasing travel insurance for fear of expected detention

19-7-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

Asslamu alaykum, we have have family trip booked for eid to go back home to visit family who me,my wife and kids havent seen for 10 years. I am worried as the trip costs alot of money and i am always stopped and detained by anti terror police every time i travel. the new laws introduced this year mean it is even worse now. I know insurance is haram, but would like to know if under these circumstances i am permitted to take out travel insurance to cover me in case i am detained and miss my flight? Jazakallahu khairan

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

Since the said insurance is optional and you want it for fear of something expected, then it is not permissible to subscribe to it if it is the commercial type, which is based on risk and chance as stated in Fatwa 81425.

It does not become permissible for you to purchase this insurance based on what you have mentioned. So, you should place your trust in Allaah and depend on Him to keep you from harm and protect you from what you fear.

You should know that what Allaah has is only obtained by obeying Him and not by disobeying Him. Allaah says (what means): {And whoever fears Allaah – He will make for him a way out, and will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allaah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allaah will accomplish His purpose. Allaah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.} [Quran 65:2-3]

Allaah Knows best.