Guidance on employment in non-Islamic economic contexts: A case of health tech and insurance revenue

Guidance on employment in non-Islamic economic contexts: A case of health tech and insurance revenue

by: Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford

Question:

Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Sheikh,

I pray this message finds you well.

I had a question and was seeking your guidance on a matter. My daughter lives in the USA, she is currently in the job market and is interviewing for a position as a security engineer. Her role would involve setting up and maintaining IT infrastructure and protecting systems and data from various online malicious activities.

She recently applied to a health tech company called Grow Therapy, whose core business model is based on connecting individuals with therapists through an online platform. When clients use the platform for therapy sessions, the company receives payment from insurance providers—this is their main source of revenue.

We are wondering about the permissibility of working for such a company, given that its primary income comes from insurance payments. Could you please advise us on whether it would be Islamically acceptable for my daughter to pursue this job opportunity?

Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your time and guidance.

Answer:

Wa ʿAlaikum Assalaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Regarding the question of whether it is Islamically permissible for your daughter to accept a position as a security engineer at a health tech company—specifically one like Grow Therapy, whose revenue is primarily derived from insurance payments—the matter requires an understanding within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh).

In general, Islamic law encourages Muslims to seek out employment that is lawful (ḥalāl) and free from involvement in transactions or industries that involve prohibited elements such as interest (ribā) and gambling (maysir). However, in non-Muslim societies, Muslims often face real challenges in finding employment opportunities that are entirely free from any indirect connection to such elements. These limitations are widely recognised by contemporary scholars and juristic councils.

Insurance, especially conventional forms, is a topic of scholarly debate due to its reliance on elements such as uncertainty (gharar) and interest. Nonetheless, it has become an essential part of healthcare systems in many countries, including the United States. In this context, institutions—such as healthcare providers, therapy platforms, and other medical service companies often receive payments from insurance companies as part of their legitimate operations in facilitating health services. The revenue, while ultimately coming from insurance, supports a service that is both permissible and socially beneficial.

In your daughter’s case, her potential role as a security engineer involves setting up and maintaining IT systems and protecting data and infrastructure from cyber threats. This type of work is technical in nature and generally far removed from the core financial transactions of the company. She would not be engaging directly in any insurance-related dealings or in the management of interest-based contracts. Her contribution would be to the technological and operational integrity of the platform, which serves a mental health function—an area of public benefit.

On the basis of the well-established fiqh principle al-ḍarūrāt tubīḥ al-maḥẓūrāt (“necessities permit the prohibited”)—alongside the recognition of ḥājāt ʿāmma (widespread need)—many contemporary scholars have issued rulings allowing employment in sectors or institutions that may have some indirect connection with non-permissible financial systems, provided that the employee is not directly involved in the ḥarām component and the service or work itself is inherently permissible.

In this case, the company’s service (facilitating access to therapy) is permissible, and the role itself is ethical and technical. As such, there is no indication that her work would fall into the category of the impermissible.

Based on the above reasoning, it would be Islamically permissible for your daughter to accept this position at Grow Therapy, given:
1. Her role is not directly connected to any prohibited financial activity.
2. The service offered by the company (mental health support) is both ethical and beneficial.
3. The source of the company’s revenue, while involving insurance, does not render the employment impermissible due to her non-involvement in its financial structuring.

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