Fatwa ID: 04550

Answered by: Alimah Umm Abdullah

Question:

My employer provides a free medical plan whereby I can claim medical expenses up to a certain value for medical expenses. I have the option to include my partner and children by paying an extra amount which will be deducted at the source before I receive my wages.

Am I allowed to take out this option if I am sure what is being deducted I would've spent anyway if not more? My family has to pay for regular visits to the dentist, optician, pharmacy.

Eg. Paying £10/month will cover my family for £250.00 worth of dental costs & £250.00 worth of optician costs. (To assist, here is the plan I would be subscribed to through my employer – http://www.bupa.co.uk/health/health-insurance/cash-plan)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

In principle, a salary is a net amount that comes into the hands of the worker at the end of the week or month. What is not received in cash by him is not considered part of his salary, unless he has optionally asked the boss to keep back a certain amount.

The sum of money contributed by the company to the medical aid scheme is not included in the employee’s salary even though the company considers it as part of the salary. The employee is not contributing to the scheme; rather it is his boss or company who pays the premium. The employee, thus, has nothing to do with the medical aid scheme, so any benefits or payouts received from the scheme are not related to any contribution of one’s own. He has had no dealings with the medical aid company, so the issues of risk and usury do not arise. Hence, it will be permissible for you to add your wife and children to your medical plan.

[Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariyyah v5/p426]

Only Allah Ta’ala knows best

Written by Alimah Umm Abdullah

Checked and Approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham