Residing in Land of Unbelievers
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Creator: Muhammad ibn Salih al-`Uthaimeen
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Identifier: http://www.islamtomorrow.com/everything/reslandunbel.htm
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Subject: fatwa
Title: Residing in Land of Unbelievers
Created on: Mon Jan 14 12:25:46 -0500 2008
Updated on: Mon Jan 14 12:25:46 -0500 2008
Version: 1
Abstract: ... ‘ilm) and deen as we have described above, then there is no harm in it. As for travelling for tourism to the land of the unbelievers, then there is no need for that, also, it is possible for him to goto the lands of the Muslims to safeguard the manifest symbols of Islam for his family. Our lands, and all praise is due to Allah, have become tourist attractions where one may possibly go. (Q3) What is the ruling about residing (iqama) in the land of the unbelievers? (A) The Sheikh answered: Residing in the land of the unbelievers is a dangrous matter for the deen of a Muslim as well as his manners and morals. We as well as others have witnessed lot of deviation in those who lived there and came back not being on what they left with. They returned back sinners (fussaq), some even apostated not only from their religion, but from the rest of them as well - refuge is sought with Allah - having become stubbornly resilient, making fun of the deen and its adherents, those who came before and those who came after! Residence in the land of the unbelievers has two necessary conditions to it: (a) The resident is secure about his deen in the sense that he has knowledge (‘ilm), faith (imaan), and a strong resolve such that he can be confident that he will remain firm on his deen, cautious against deviation and misguidance, and he will conceal enmity for the unbelievers and have animosity towards them, far from turning towards and showing affection as turning towards them and loving them goes against Imaan as Allah says: "Thou wilt not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who resist Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein (for ever). Allah will be well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Truly it is the Party of Allah that will achieve felicity." al-Mujadilah 22 " O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. Those in whose hearts is a disease - thou seest how eagerly they run about amongst them, saying: "We do fear lest a change of fortune bring us disaster." Ah! perhaps Allah will give (thee) victory, or a decision according to His will. Then will they repent of the thoughts which they secretly harboured in their hearts." 5: 51, 52 And it is confirmed in an authentic hadith that the Prophet said, "Whoever loves a people will be one of them, and a man will be with the one he loves." Loving the enemies of Allah is one of the greatest dangers for a Muslim since loving them necessitates conforming with and following them, or at least not stopping them, that is why the Prophet said, "A man will be with whom he loves." (b) That he is able to express his deen in the sense that he is able to establish the outward manifest symbols (Sha’a’ir) of Islam without any hindrance so there is no obstacle in establishing the prayer; the Jumu’ah; the congregation (jama’ah) when there is someone with him to establish the congragation (jama’ah) and Jumu’ah; there is no obstacle in (administering) zakat, fasting, Hajj, and other symbols of Islam. If he is unable to do so, he is not allowed to reside and must migrate (hijra). It is stated in al-Mughni (vol. 8, p. 457) under the duscussion of the categories of people with respect to migration (hijra): "One of those who must migrate is one who is unable to show his deen and is not able to establish the obligatory duties (wajibaat) of his deen due to his residence with the unbelievers. On such it is obligatory to migrate as Allah said: "Lo! as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves, (the angels) will ask: In what were ye engaged? They will say: We were oppressed in the land. (The angels) will say: Was not Allah’s earth spacious that ye could have migrated therein? As for such, their habitation will be hell, an evil journey’s end." 4:97 This is a severe threat which points towards obligation (wajub) because establishing an obligation of the deen is obligatory on one who is able to. Migration (hijra) is from the requirements of the obligation and its perfection and if an obligation can not be fulfilled except something, then that thing becomes obligatory as well." After completing these basic conditions, residence in Dar al-Kufr can be divided into the following types: (1) That he resides to give da’wa to Islam and awaken (people) to it. This is a type of Jihad that is a communal obligation (fard kifaya) on the one capable with the condition that he will materialize the da’wa and there is no obstacle in (delivering) it or (others) responding to it. This is because da’wa to Islam is from the obligations of the deen and the way of the messengers. The Prophet has commanded to deliver the message on his behalf in every age and time as he said, "Relate from me even if a single verse.’ (2) That he resides to study the state of the unbelievers and to know what they are upon of corruption (fasad) of creed (aqeeda), false worship, immorality, and confused behavior so he may warn people of the reality of their affairs. This type of residence is also a type of Jihad since it serves as giving a warning against disbelief and the unbelievers which implies inviting to Islam and its guidance. The corruption of disbelief is proof for the vailidity of Islam as they say, ‘things are known by their opposites.’ But he must materialize his intent without incurring greater harm since if he does not materialize his intent by not spreading what they are upon and cautioning against it, then there is no benefit of his residence. If materializing his intent will result in a greater harm like reciprocating their abuse of Islam, the Messenger, ... 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