Is it permissible for a Masjid to have insurance due to the risk of arson, vandalism, etc.?

Question

Is it permissible for a Masjid to have insurance due to the risk of arson, vandalism, etc.?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

In principle, insurance policies are not permissible because they contain elements of interest, deception, and gambling. Nevertheless, if the Masjid committee feels there is a genuine need to have insurance for the Masjid, and without it, it could cause great difficulty to the Masjid, e.g. a masjid getting burned to the ground, a hurricane damaging the Masjid to the extent that its facilities cannot be used anymore, etc., and it would be financially difficult to recover from such a loss, then it would be permissible based on the maxim “necessities make the impermissible permissible” (Al-Qawaid Al-Fiqhia: p 43 [Dar At-Tirmidhi]).

However, one should choose such a plan that is within the scope of necessity and is a genuine need; this is based on the legal maxim “necessity is taken into consideration according to its amount” (Al-Qawaid Al-Fiqhia: p. 44 [Dar At-Tirmidhi]). The Masjid committee should refrain from purchasing unnecessary policies that insurance company agents encourage customers to buy. ِAlso, should there be an option of receiving payouts, the committee should refrain from taking it. In conclusion, before purchasing any insurance policy, the Masjid committee must sincerely deliberate and determine what is a need and what is not.

الحاجة تنزل منزلة الضرورة عامة كانت او خاصة في إباحة المحظور (القواعد الفقهية: ص. 45 الناشر: دار الترمذي)

Only Allah knows best