Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Theory and Instruments of Social Safety Nets and Social Insurance in Islamic Finance Takaful and Ta'm
Theory and Instruments of Social Safety Nets and Social Insurance in Islamic Finance Takaful and Ta'm
The Rules of Inheritance, Islamic rules of inheritance aim to ensure social security and
fairness within the family and society.
Care of Orphans, Islam places great importance on caring for orphans the prophet
Muhammad emphasized the rewards and honor associated with looking after orphans, comparing
it to being in Paradise.
The Neighborhood, the Qur'an emphasizes the importance of treating neighbors well,
also generosity towards neighbors is linked to faith and establishing strong social relations.
The Institutional Framework of Social Safety Nets in Islam
Charitable Activities, the act of giving food to the needy, orphan, and captive is done
solely for the sake of Allah without expecting any reward or gratitude.
Al-Waqf, Waqf has a broader impact beyond charity and voluntary activities, making it
an important aspect of social security in the Muslim world.
Al-Zakat, the Qur'an emphasizes that spending in the way of Allah is multiplied and
does not decrease one's wealth.
Bait al-Mal (House of Wealth), When individuals in society lack resources and existing
safety frameworks have reached their limits, Bait al-Mal is initiated to provide security for citizens.
The Concept of Social Security in Islam
In general, social security refers to the protection that a society provides to individuals
and households facing illness, poverty, or unemployment. it is the government responsibility to
providing the social security system.
The concept of social security was put into practice by Umar bin Khattab when he
helped non-Muslim who were in need. He provided for their necessities from the Bait al-Mal
(public treasury) and didn't make them pay taxes.
The Concept of Social Security in Islam
Over time, in contemporary society, the government social security has
imposed strict requirements, excluding many individuals from receiving social protection.
As a result, the government's responsibility towards those in need has declined, allowing
commercial insurance to play a bigger role in providing social security. However, the
Muslim community has not embraced commercial insurance.
In the latter half of the 20th century, legislation introduced a modern social
security system with mandatory insurance involving beneficiaries, employers, and the
state. Its coverage remained limited, mainly for civil servants, military personnel, and state
project workers. This system offered benefits like retirement compensation, health
insurance, accident coverage, death benefits, maternity leave, and family aid. It reflects
the principle of state to realize al-Masalih al-Mursalah (the public interest).
The Concept of Social Security in Islam
To fulfill the well-being of the community. The following are the public programs
that must be provided:
Education
Islam emphasizes that the acquisition of knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim.
Therefore, schools, libraries, laboratories, and the like are entitled to receive support. Al-Fuqha
(Muslim jurists) have affirmed that zakat can be given to students to cover educational expenses.
Such payments encourage families to enroll their children and adults to pursue higher education.
Health Care
The Qur’an says, “And whoever saves one—it is as if he had saved mankind entirely”
(5:32). Therefore, many hospitals, medical centers, and clinics have been set up by Muslim as waqf,
together with the state, to protect members of the society.
Training
Training is a tool for members of the community to acquire practical skills and encourages
them to be competent in their careers. The Prophet taught us that Allah loves those who can perform
their jobs skillfully. With the skills we've acquired, we can produce more products and services to
improve our lives and reduce poverty.
The Concept of Social Security in Islam
Security, Protection, and Jurisdiction
By applying Islamic principles to maintain peace, the institution of Hisbah is established and
appoints state officials to safeguard society from deviance, protect the faith, and ensure the well-being
of the people. Additionally, the government must be prepared to defend the Islamic state against
various forms of invasion and aggression (economic, cultural, political, and so on) with full
determination.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure, such as roads, water supply, electrical grids, and telecommunications, is
needed by society to provide essential services to improve living conditions. The state should
consistently fund community infrastructure development projects. Classical Islamic jurisprudence, which
elaborates the allocation of revenues from Bait al-Mal, has emphasized that Bait al-Mal should also
allocate revenues for building bridges, repairing roads, digging wells, improving irrigation-drainage
systems, widening river canals, and the like.
Ta’min
Ta’min is derived from the Arabic verb "amman," which means "pray or supplication.“
The root letters "A-M-N" have multiple related meanings, including "security," "peace,"
"safety," "loyalty," "honesty," "fidelity," and "certification.“
Social cooperation and mutual assistance are the main purposes of ta’min.
Takaful
Takaful is another Arabic term referring to social security and is derived from the verb "kaffal,"
meaning "to provide, support, sponsor, spend, and guarantee."
Takaful reflects the idea of interdependence, love for one another, and solidarity in society, as
encouraged by Islamic teachings.
The Qur'an emphasizes cooperation in righteousness and piety, and the Hadith (teachings of the
Prophet) stress mutual support among Muslims.
Takaful is a system of joint liability among individuals, groups, or organizations to meet the needs of
the needy and protect common benefits.
The Takaful system is based on faith, ethical principles, and the consciousness of individuals'
responsibility toward others in society.
Takaful encompasses various dimensions of social, economic, political, judicial, cultural, and
educational cooperation, fostering the spirit of solidarity.
Unlike commercial insurance, Takaful is based on donation and cooperation, and beneficiaries may
not even know who provided assistance..
Differences between social insurance and Takaful
Social insurance is a legal system governed by specific laws, while Takaful is a faith-based and ethical
system rooted in individual consciousness.
Social insurance is often compulsory, while Takaful is optional and based on interdependence among
society members.
Takaful has a broader scope, covering all members of society, while social insurance is restricted to
those who meet specific conditions.
The returns of social insurance are available only to participants, whereas Takaful is based on
donation and cooperation, with donors remaining anonymous.
Takaful in Practice
Modern Takaful began in Sudan in 1979. By 2011, the Takaful industry was
operating through more than 200 entities around the world and was worth an
estimated US$12 billion
Increase in regional growths rates in takaful. 2010-11
Takaful in Practice
In the past three decades, the development and growth has been greater on the commercial side
of Takaful—that is, Takaful al-tijari—where the focus is mainly on personal benefits or interests of Takaful
participants, rather than the poor and the vulnerable in society at large. e. However, Muslims should not
overlook the spirit that underlies these operational efforts. This spirit comes under the form of Takaful al-
ijtimai (mutual social responsibility), which includes all material and moral aspects of life that are implicit in
the Maqasid al-Shari’ah (the objectives of Shari’ah). Ulwan (2001) states in his book Al-Takaful al-ijtimai fi al-
Islam that Takaful al-ijtimai is the act of guarantee and supports each member in the society, whether
individually or in a group. While Islam acknowledges the business aspect of Takaful as developed through
Takaful al-tijari, it also emphasizes inculcating the facet of Takaful al-ijtimai. Therefore, rebalancing both
aspects of Takaful should complement the roles and functions played by the Takaful operators
Takaful in Practice
Operationalizing the concept of Takaful al-ijtimai takes two forms: namely, through the
promulgation of cash waqf, and through introduction of microTakaful programs. Funds accumulated
through the cash waqf programs, especially in developing countries, can be allocated to socially related
development areas, including agriculture, education, and health, as well as urban poverty alleviation
programs. Such a focus would eventually reduce poverty levels and uplift the spirit of helping one another
among the Ummah.
Islam, being egalitarian in nature, emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the basic needs of
the poor and the vulnerable. Together with a good economic growth, a controlled population growth rate,
and an efficient distribution scheme, they “could form the dynamics of poverty reduction,” as Iqbal (2002,
9) puts it.
Dynamic of Poverty Reduction