Fatwa ID: 08253

Answered by Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat

Question:
Assalamu Alaikum,
There is only one question:

If buying car insurance is permissible for a person as he is forced to buy it due to the laws of the country (e.g., in the Netherlands, car insurance is mandatory to drive), then is it also permissible for a Bangladeshi citizen to become a Dutch citizen and take the following oath:

“I swear that I will respect the constitutional order of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, its freedoms and rights, and I swear that I will faithfully fulfil my obligations as a Dutch citizen.”
Followed by: “So help me God.”

Since the person voluntarily takes citizenship while having permanent residency (and thus is not forced), and he agrees to fulfil obligations as a Dutch citizen, does that not make the acceptance of those obligations—including buying car insurance—voluntary and no longer under compulsion?

Answer:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Clarification of the Question:

You are asking whether taking a voluntary oath of Dutch citizenship, which includes a commitment to fulfill civic duties like mandatory insurance, nullifies the Islamic justification of darurah (necessity) since the person is no longer being “forced,” but has voluntarily accepted those terms.

Answer in Detail:
Islamic jurisprudence recognizes that Muslims may reside in non-Muslim countries for various legitimate reasons such as security, employment, education, or better life opportunities. In such cases, compliance with local laws that do not contradict Shariʿah is considered permissible and even necessary to preserve one’s safety and livelihood.

1. Regarding Car Insurance:
Ruling:
Car insurance, though involving elements of gharar (excessive uncertainty) or interest in some forms, becomes permissible under the principle of darurah when required by the state and when alternative (Shariʿah-compliant) options are unavailable.

Qur’anic Basis:
“But if one is compelled by necessity, without wilful disobedience nor transgressing due limits—then there is no sin on him.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:173)

Conclusion:
Even if someone voluntarily accepts citizenship, the insurance requirement remains a legal compulsion—not a personal preference. Thus, the ruling of necessity (darurah) still applies, as refraining from it would prevent one from driving and fulfilling basic life responsibilities (employment, childcare, etc.).

2. Regarding Citizenship Oath:
Oath Wording:

“I swear that I will respect the constitutional order of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, its freedoms and rights, and I swear that I will faithfully fulfil my obligations as a Dutch citizen.”

“So help me God.”

This statement is interpreted as a civil pledge to respect the laws of the land. From an Islamic perspective:

As long as the laws and obligations do not contradict Islamic principles, it is permissible to take such an oath.

The phrase “So help me God” can be intended as seeking help from Allah to fulfill all lawful obligations.

Islam allows a Muslim to make oaths or affirmations that align with good conduct, justice, and civic harmony, as long as their ultimate loyalty remains to Allah.

Scholarly Principle:
“الضرورات تبيح المحظورات”
“Necessities permit the prohibited.”

This applies both to living under and officially integrating into a system where fulfilling certain legal requirements becomes essential to maintain basic rights and duties (e.g., work, healthcare, education).

To Conclude:
✅ It is permissible for a Bangladeshi Muslim to become a Dutch citizen and take the oath, provided:

The individual intends to comply with lawful civic duties,

They understand and affirm that Islamic teachings take precedence in cases of conflict,

And the oath is not a pledge of unconditional allegiance that contradicts tawhid (monotheism) or Islamic law.

✅ Buying car insurance remains permissible, even after voluntarily taking citizenship, because it is still legally mandated, not voluntarily adopted in a religious sense.

And Allah knows best.

Written by:
Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍۢ وَلَا عَادٍۢ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ ١٧٣

[2]

1 – من المتفق عليه أن بعض صور الموالاة جائزة مع الكافر غير المحارب فحت المسلم لزوجته مشر و ۶ ولو كانت غير مسلمة

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