Clarification on Nhima claims
| Fatwa #970 | Category: Business & Trade | Country: Zambia | Date: 10th January 2024 |
| Fatwa #970 | Date: 10th January 2024 |
| Category: Business & Trade | |
| Country: Zambia | |
Question
Nhima is mandatory for registered and official employees.
If an individual were to subscribe to Nhima through bribery and corruption even though they are not required by law to do so, will it be permissible to accept nhima payouts?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Nhima is a government mandated health insurance scheme. An employer/employee has no option but to subscribe. Failure to do so results in legal consequences.
It is due to this fact that subscribing to the scheme for an employer/employee is permissible, and the subsequent benefits from the scheme may be utilized.
In the event the government does not require an individual to voluntarily subscribe and pay a premium to Nhima, the default impermissibility is reinstated. Therefore, it is not permissible to voluntarily subscribe and pay premiums to Nhima and any benefits received in excess of ones contributions will not be halal.[1]
However, should the government provide Nhima without requiring any contributions and premiums, as is the case with senior citizens, it will be permissible to sign up for Nhima and make use of the subsequent benefits.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Bilal Pandor
Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad IV Patel
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia
امداد الفتاوي ج 3 ص 149