What Is the Ruling on Working for a Company Paid by Insurance Companies?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Is it permissible to work for a private health services company that predominantly receives payment from insurance companies?

Some also have customers who pay out of pocket. The individual worker would be providing the health service.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I hope you are in good spirits, in sha Allah. Thank you for seeking guidance on halal sustenance.

It is permissible for you to work for a private health services company that predominantly receives payment from insurance companies.

One looks at the nature of the job. What services are you providing, and for which services will you be receiving income? If you are providing a health service, which is permissible, and receiving a salary for it, your work is permissible.

Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Earning a halal livelihood is binding (wajib) on every Muslim.” [Tabarani, Al-Mu’jamul Awsat]

The permissibility of income depends on the nature of the work itself. Your income will be considered permissible (halal) as long as the work is permissible and you fulfill the required tasks.  [Zayla‘i, Tabyin al-Haqa’iq]

Payment for a Lawful Service isn’t Affected by Someone Else’s Impermissible Contract.

The impermissibility of one party’s contract does not, by default, extend to the income of a third party who renders a permissible service, here, healthcare, and is lawfully paid for that service.

It is commendable that you’re seeking guidance, as earning a halal living is a religious obligation, second only to primary duties like prayers, fasting, and hajj.

And Allah knows best.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

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Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.