Jane Dotson
Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world, and Muslims constitute large proportions of populations across both Muslim-majority countries and elsewhere. While some Muslims object to conventional insurance products, including medical insurance, due to the involvement of uncertainty, gambling, and interest, which are prohibited by the Koran, others do not have such objections. In the United States, for example, many Muslims do not have employer-provided health insurance, and American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) is working to ensure that Muslims are aware of and connected to health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. While Muslims in the US can claim a religious exemption from Obamacare, they do not qualify for an exemption from the legislative requirements to purchase health insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial insurance of all types | Prohibited |
| Commercial insurance when forced to do so | Permissible |
| Commercial insurance when compelled to do so | Permissible |
| Percentage of Muslims without employer-provided health insurance in the US | 66% |
| Percentage of Muslims who are self-employed in the US | 20% |
| Percentage of Muslims who are under-employed in the US | 29% |
| Percentage of Muslims who are unemployed in the US | 17% |
| Muslims' exemption from Obamacare requirements | No exemption |
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What You'll Learn
Muslims are exempt from Obamacare requirements
It is incorrect to state that Muslims are exempt from Obamacare requirements. The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, does not contain the word "dhimmitude", nor does it exempt Muslims from the requirement to obtain health insurance. The claim that Muslims are specifically exempted from the government mandate to purchase insurance and the penalty tax for being uninsured is false. The term "dhimmitude" refers to a non-Muslim subject of the Ottoman Empire who was granted protection by the state in exchange for specific taxes, and this status was abolished in 1839.
While it is true that some religious groups may be considered exempt from the requirement to have health insurance, this is based on the definition from 26 U.S.C. § 1402(g)(1), which describes religious groups currently exempt from Social Security payroll taxes. These groups must forbid any payout in the event of death, disability, old age, or retirement, including Social Security and Medicare. As of 2010, no Muslim group had successfully applied for such exemptions, and no non-Christian group had ever qualified for an exemption under the statute used to define exempt religious groups in the healthcare law.
Furthermore, the Muslim faith does not forbid the purchasing of health insurance. While commercial insurance of all types, including health insurance, is generally prohibited in Islam, it is permissible to use it when compelled to do so. For example, if a person is forced to take out insurance on their car or if a company mandates its employees to have health insurance.
In conclusion, Muslims are not exempt from Obamacare requirements, and the claim that the Affordable Care Act contains an exemption for Muslims is false. The healthcare law defines exempt religious groups in a specific way, and no Muslim or non-Christian group has met the criteria for exemption. While Islam traditionally prohibits commercial insurance, it allows for exceptions when individuals are forced or compelled to obtain coverage.
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Islamic views on insurance as a form of gambling
There are differing views on the Islamic perspective of insurance as a form of gambling. Some Islamic scholars argue that insurance is a form of gambling (Maisir/Maysir) and is therefore forbidden in Islam. This view is based on the idea that insurance contracts involve uncertainty (Gharar) and usury (riba), which are prohibited in Islamic teachings. The Prophet is reported to have forbidden transactions based on uncertainty, speculation, or ambiguity, as these are considered forms of gambling.
From an Islamic jurisprudence perspective, conventional insurance contracts are seen as ambiguous transactions, where the occurrence of the insured event is uncertain and beyond the control of the parties involved. This ambiguity is considered unacceptable in contracts involving financial compensation. Furthermore, insurance is likened to gambling because it creates a zero-sum situation where one party's gain depends on the other's loss.
However, there are also Islamic scholars who argue that insurance, particularly in the modern context, should be considered permissible (halal). They acknowledge the need for insurance companies in the 21st century to manage risks and handle large sums of money. Additionally, some scholars view insurance as a form of cooperation for good deeds, allowing risk mitigation through the pooling of resources, which is allowed in Islam. Takaful, a form of cooperative insurance, is widely accepted in the Muslim community as it adheres to Shariah laws by avoiding gambling and uncertainty. Individuals contribute to a shared pool, providing financial protection to one another in times of need without engaging in practices deemed haram.
While the majority of contemporary Islamic scholarship considers conventional insurance forbidden, there is a minority of scholars who argue for its permissibility, especially in cases of necessity, such as health insurance. Ultimately, the Islamic perspective on insurance as a form of gambling is a matter of ongoing debate and interpretation within the Muslim community.
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Muslims constitute a large proportion of the global population
Muslims constitute a significant proportion of the global population, with around 1.6 to 1.8 billion people or more than 25% identifying as Muslim as of 2020. This makes Islam the second-largest religion in the world after Christianity, which has 2.2 billion adherents or 32% of the global population. Furthermore, Islam is the fastest-growing major religion globally, influenced by high birth rates and religious conversions.
The Muslim population is diverse and widespread, with varying percentages across different regions. The Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region has the highest concentration of Muslims, with 91% of the population identifying as Muslim. Central Asia follows closely behind with 89%, while Southeast Asia has a substantial Muslim population of 40%. South Asia is home to the largest population of Muslims in the world, accounting for 31% of the region's total population. In Sub-Saharan Africa and West Africa, Muslims make up 30% and 15% of the population, respectively.
While the Americas have a smaller percentage of Muslims at 1%, countries like the United States have significant Muslim communities. Europe has a 6% Muslim population, with notable communities in Russia and across the continent. China has the third-largest Muslim population outside Muslim-majority countries, and Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in terms of population.
The Islamic faith encompasses various ethnicities and denominations, with Sunni Islam and Shia Islam being the two primary branches. The cultural and spiritual values of Muslims can influence their healthcare decisions, including their views on diet, modesty, privacy, touch restrictions, and alcohol intake. As a result, cultural competence and understanding are crucial when providing healthcare services to Muslim patients.
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Muslims are the fastest-growing religious group in the world
Muslims constitute large proportions of populations across both Muslim-majority countries and other regions. They are considered the fastest-growing religious group in the world, with Islam being the fastest-growing religion. This growth is attributed to various factors, including demographics, fertility rates, and the size of youth populations.
According to the Pew Research Center, between 2015 and 2060, the global population is projected to grow by 32%, while the Muslim population is expected to increase by 70%. In 2015, there were approximately 1.8 billion Muslims, representing 24.1% of the world's population. By 2060, this number is estimated to reach nearly 3 billion, constituting more than three-tenths of the world's population (31.1%). This growth rate is more than double that of the overall world population.
One significant factor contributing to the growth of Islam is the higher birth rates within Muslim families. Muslim women have an average of 2.9 children, which is significantly above the average of 2.2 for all non-Muslims. Additionally, in regions with sizable Muslim populations, such as Africa and the Middle East, Muslim fertility rates exceed those of non-Muslims. The median age of Muslims is also younger than that of non-Muslims, with a median age of 24 in 2015, compared to a median age of 32 for non-Muslims. This combination of higher fertility rates and a younger population will accelerate the growth of the Muslim population in the coming years.
While commercial insurance, including health insurance, is generally prohibited in Islam, there are some exceptions. In cases where individuals are compelled or forced to obtain health insurance, such as by their employer or when necessary for their health, it is permissible to do so.
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Muslims may be compelled to take out health insurance
While commercial insurance of all types is prohibited in Islam, whether it is life insurance, health insurance, or property insurance, it is acceptable for Muslims to take out insurance in certain circumstances.
If a Muslim is compelled to take out health insurance, for example, if their company forces them to take out health insurance, or they are forced to take out insurance on their car, it is permissible. In this case, the sin is on the one who forces them to do so. It is also acceptable for Muslims to take out health insurance if they are in great need of it because they are unable to cover the cost of treatment without insurance.
Some Islamic scholars argue that health insurance is permissible in cases of need. Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah states that "ambiguous transactions, which are a kind of gambling, may be permissible in cases of need and where it serves a clear interest". Similarly, Shaykh Yoosuf ash-Shubayli advises that if the law of the land requires a person to have auto insurance, it is permissible to take out insurance because there is a need that requires doing so. However, he adds that one should not take out more insurance than is required by law.
It is also permissible for Muslims to work in the insurance department of a hospital as it is not regarded as helping with something prohibited. This is because some patients need this insurance or are compelled to take it out, or their company has taken out insurance for them and their families.
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Frequently asked questions
Commercial insurance of all types is prohibited in Islam, including health insurance. However, it is acceptable to use health insurance in two cases: when a person is forced to do so, or when a person is compelled to take out health insurance.
No, Muslims in the US do not have to follow health insurance requirements. They are exempt from Obamacare requirements and can opt out of purchasing health insurance.
Muslims are obliged to avoid using insurance or dealing with what is forbidden. If a Muslim's employment requires them to accept insurance and they cannot avoid it, then they should resign from their job.
Muslims can use Islamic insurance companies and cooperative systems that avoid riba (interest).
In the US, 20% of Muslims are self-employed, 29% are under-employed, and 17% are unemployed, meaning they likely do not have employer-provided health insurance.
