30th April 2015
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: Is it permissible to have public liability insurance when doing Hijamah (cupping) on others? This is in case if someone makes a wrongful claim against you.
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
In reference to your query, all forms of insurance schemes fall under the scheme of qimar (gambling) which is categorically forbidden in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. However, only those types of insurances are permitted which are either required by law or there is a genuine necessity depending on the circumstances, for instance car insurance and those similar to it. Such insurances have been Islamically permitted due to the rule of dharoorat and Hajat (extreme necessity – fulfilling their respective conditions).
As far as complementary therapy, such as cupping, insurance for public liability is concerned, firstly this is not a legal requirement by law but only in case if a patient wants to take legal action against the therapist. Secondly, therapist experts generally consider cupping as a safe treatment, when done properly that is so to cleanse and enhance the blood circulation. So long as the therapist knows what he is doing, the chances of the patient’s health falling at risk is very slim. Thus, insurance cannot be considered as a general necessity (dharorat or Hajat) in this case.
In conclusion, there is no Islamic legitimacy in applying for public liability insurance for cupping therapy due to the fact that it is part of Qimar scheme and not considered a genuine necessity, hence must be avoided.
[Allãh Knows Best]
Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed
Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department