Question: 

My wife is due to give birth in 1 month We've booked the hospital bed and it's been authorized through medical aid, Finding out that medical aid is not permissible, our choices are slim as time is coming close Would it be permissible to cancel only after the birth and give away the sum of the fee that may be more than the premiums paid?

Answer: 

Firstly, we understand from your query that you have now been informed that subscribing to any voluntary medical insurance is impermissible in Shariah. However, you had contributed towards the medical aid over the years by paying the monthly premiums. You are thus entitled to the funds that you had contributed over the years, and it will acceptable for you to cancel the medical aid insurance immediately after your wife delivers, solely on the basis that you are able to retrieve the funds contributed by you over the years.

However, if the medical bill exceeds your total contribution amount then the excess amount should be paid and given away by you to the medical aid company (which you have also indicated towards in your query) as such funds will be considered as interest.

AND ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST

ANSWERED BY: Mufti Mohammed Desai 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B

Date: 23 Shawwal 1441 

English Date: 16 June 2020