A - The Modus operandi of the Medical Aid Schemes that are commonly in vogue nowadays, is in conflict with Islamic Shari’ah and, as such, will not be viable for Muslims to enter into.

The reason for its prohibition is that the Medical Aid Schemes function very much like that of insurance schemes. The member [voluntarily] contributes  a certain monthly premium to the Medical Aid Company with the intention that he would be financially covered in the event of an unexpected medical emergency. In the event of such an emergency, the Medical Aid Company will subsequently pay a sum of money to the client for the medical services rendered, which at times amount to thousands of Rands. Let us take a hypothetical case wherein "A" for instance is a new member of a Medical Aid Society and he has contributed a mere thousand Rands to date. "A" now develops heart trouble for which urgent bypass surgery is required which would cost him say, fifty thousand Rands. The Medical Aid pays the major part of the bill or perhaps even the entire bill. For a contribution of One Thousand Rands, "A" has received a kickback of FIFTY Thousand Rands. The question arises that what is the excess FORTY-NINE Thousand Rands in lieu of ? In terms of Shari’ah, paying ONE thousand Rands to get back FIFTY thousand Rands is interest and usury; that taking of which is Haraam and prohibited. Coupled with this, Medical Aid Schemes (like insurance policies) also carry the stigma of being a gamble and a game of chance, whereas gambling is totally prohibited in Islam. The gambling aspect comes about due to the fact that there is a "win or lose" situation involved: if the member DOES become ill, he gains such great financial benefit that is far in excess of his monthly contributions. If on the other hand, he never becomes so ill as to require the financial assistance of the Medical Aid Society and then dies, he forfeits and losses all the monthly contributions that he made to date. He either "wins" or "looses" hopelessly.

A - Medical Aid Schemes wherein one voluntarily subscribes to become a member and thereafter benefits by receiving a cash or cheque payment from the Medical Aid in lieu of medical treatment that he received, will NOT be permissible. However, if the membership is NOT voluantary but COMPULSORY within the framework of the company where one is employed; in other words every employee is obligated to be connected with the Medical Aid Scheme of the company, then this would be similar to a compulsory Pension Fund Scheme. Just as it would be permissible to accept the excess returns on the Pension Fund investment (as the excess is considered to be a gift from one's employer) in a like manner it would also be permissible to accept payment from the Medical Aid for one's medical bills (even though the payment may exceed one's contributions).

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