What is the ruling on insurance for commercial shops?

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner: Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh: And upon you peace.

The questioner : Al-Albani?

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : May Allah grant you health.

The questioner : I would like to ask you about the issue of insurance for commercial shops.

The Shaykh : It is not permissible—my brother—to insure shops, nor people, nor real estate, nor businesses. All of these are forms of gambling.

The questioner : You mean it is a type of forbidden thing?

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : Yes, that is right. Now, suppose a person insured his commercial shop for a month. Does this insurance require an expiation for the act—such as a transaction—so that his sin is forgiven?

The Shaykh : Pardon me, what did you say: insured for a month?

The questioner : He insured it for about a month, and then he canceled this insurance; meaning, he fully terminated the insurance.

The Shaykh : He terminated the insurance?

The questioner : But he has an expiation—such as a transaction—upon him.

The Shaykh : No, there is no expiation upon him other than seeking forgiveness and repentance...
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