بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
25 Dhul Hijjah 1444/14 July 2023
All praise is due to Allah, the Cherisher, Sustainer, Nourisher and Provider of the entire creation. May peace, blessings and salutations be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammed ﷺ.
What is Takaful?
Takaful is an Arabic word stemming from the verb “kafala”, which means to take care of one another’s needs or “guaranteeing each other”.
Takaful refers to Mutual Indemnification based on the premise of Ta’awun (mutual assistance) and Tabarru’ (donation) whereby compensation for misfortune from risks associated with it is shared amongst a group. It includes the concept of pooling of resources and sharing of losses which is the heart of Takaful. Takaful is based on the concept of Tabarru’ which eliminates Takaful as a contract of exchange. Your donations are regarded as contributions towards the Takaful fund.
Why is there a need from a Shariah Perspective?
Takaful contains element of Mutual co-operation.
وَتَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
“And Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is severe in punishment.” (5;2)
Takaful also addresses the alleviation of hardships and provision of material (security) funds and assistance for those who face unexpected risks and perils. This is to ensure that those left behind are provided with a reasonably comfortable life.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَٰجًۭا وَصِيَّةًۭ لِّأَزْوَٰجِهِم مَّتَـٰعًا إِلَى ٱلْحَوْلِ غَيْرَ إِخْرَاجٍۢ ۚ فَإِنْ خَرَجْنَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى مَا فَعَلْنَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ مِن مَّعْرُوفٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ
Those of you who die leaving widows should bequeath for them a year’s maintenance without forcing them out. But if they choose to leave, you are not accountable for what they reasonably decide for themselves. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (2;240)
Takaful embodies the concept of Tawakul wherby one strives hard in overcoming unexpected future risks and at the same time placing ones trust in Allah.
قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَعْقِلُهَا وَأَتَوَكَّلُ أَوْ أُطْلِقُهَا وَأَتَوَكَّلُ قَالَ “ اعْقِلْهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ ” .
Anas bin Malik narrated that a man with a camel said: “O Messenger of Allah! Shall I tie it and rely(upon Allah), or leave it loose and rely(upon Allah)?” He said: “Tie it and rely(upon Allah).” Other chains report similar narrations. – Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2517
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ الدُّنْيَا نَفَّسَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَمَنْ يَسَّرَ عَلَى مُعْسِرٍ يَسَّرَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ “
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard-pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter” – Sahih Muslim 2699a
Within the legal maxims prescribed, we come across الضرر يزال, Harm is to be eliminated. Takaful is a means of securing one’s self and tying one’s camel. The certainty of harm is not 100 percent absolute but there are high chance of a loss occurring which can result in major and excessive harm. The harm caused by a loss or event which may take place disrupts the Maslahah of the affected.
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ لاَ ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ ” .
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” – Sunan Ibn Majah 2341
We ask Allah to accept our efforts from us and grant us understanding In Sha Allah!
The Garden of Knowledge 
Leave a comment