The Role of Takaful Agents at the Takaful Operators from Shariah Perspective

Abstract

A Takaful Agent is a community representative appointed by the takaful operator to promote takaful protection products and plans. Takaful agents are very important in promoting the concept of Hibah, where they typically go into the field to promote the products of their appointing party. Hence, this study aims to highlight the role and ethics of Takaful Agents according to the legislation and create awareness of customer trust in Takaful in Malaysia. This study adopted qualitative and quantitative methods to fulfill its objectives. For the former, the researchers interviewed a senior figure in the Malaysian Takaful Ikhlas sector. As for the latter, the researchers distributed online survey questionnaires to the Takaful customers, consisting of family members, close friends, schoolteachers, and public and private university graduates. The findings from this study showed that most of the respondents have an awareness of Takaful protection schemes, despite the different types of Takaful they have taken. To conclude this study, Takaful agents must maintain an attitude and have to comply with every ethics and code of conduct that has been set. Dealing with customers as their main task, Takaful agents need to instill confidence in the customer to take Takaful protection. Therefore, Muslim consumers need to choose trustworthy and responsible Takaful agents to protect their rights and benefits in the future.