QUESTION

Assalamu Alaikum,

Some well known Muslim Scholars in …………… have given Fatwa that it is not right for Muslims to live in non Muslim countries unless it is ONLY for Dawah (spreading Islam).

What are your thoughts on this topic, what we as women can do about this, shall we ask our families to relocate back?

ANSWER

Assalamu Alaikum,

Alhamdulillah, thank you for your question. We Muslims are told to follow the examples of our Prophet (peace be upon him), to the best of our capabilities. In Surah Al-Ahzab 33-21, Allah the Almighty says;"Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) you have a excellent example to follow, for those who hope in meeting with Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah a lot". Having said that let us look what the Prophet (peace be upon him) did in the same situation.

It is a historical fact that Makkah has been the center of worship of one Allah even before the evident of Islam, and always held the significance and respect. Makkah is also the birthplace of our Prophet (peace be upon him) but when it became difficult for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and others to survive, practice and preach their faith in Makkah, they migrated to an unknown but more peaceful place called “Yathrib” (means "abandoned", today’s Medina Al-Munnawarrah) a place that had no religious significance at the time. This very act of migration is one of the most significant landmarks of the life of our Prophet (peace be upon him) it changed the history, provided freedom, various opportunities and started the new Islamic calendar.

I would not hesitate to say that those who say that Muslims must not live in a non-Muslim country, lack or only have superficial knowledge of Islam, teaching of Glorious Qura’n and the traditions (Sunnah) of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Are "Non-Muslim" majority countries are created (Astaghfirullah) by someone other than Allah? Are environment for human rights, earning through the lawful means, peace, human rights, freedom of speech and practice suitable for Muslims in "so-called" Muslim countries?

In Surah An-Nisa (4:97-100), Allah The Almighty says; "Verily! As for those whom the angels of death come upon while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the wrong doers even though emigration was obligatory for them under those conditions), the angels say to them: "In what (condition) were you in your life?" They reply: "We were weak and oppressed on earth." The angels would say: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?" Such men will find their abode in Hell - What an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they have means. For those there is hope that Allah will forgive them, and Allah is Ever Oft Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving. He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allah, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by……"

According to these ayat and the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) Muslims are directed to migrate to places where they could peacefully practice their faith and earn livelihood, as that question will be asked of them at the time of death, "……why didn’t you migrate to a more peaceful place where you could have practiced your obligations to Allah." I honestly believe that an overwhelming majority of people migrating to other countries are doing so for the sake of better opportunities to live, earn, learn, educate their children and also freely practice their obligations.

May I question the understanding of those "Scholars" about spreading Islam? Islam is very much spread by the proper personal practice, attitude and behavior not by a "fully paid trip to the West" for few days for the scholars. It is a fact that Muslim living in the non-Muslim majority countries in the East, West, North and or South have more rights than those who live in "Muslim World."

In my opinion, in most cases if Muslims face difficulties in a non-Muslim environment, is because of their own lack of understanding and practice of Islam, their sectarian mentality, culture that has nothing to do with Islam, internal discrimination based on class, countries of origin, language, lack of unity, ancestry, false pride, desire of control, tolerance of each other, attitude of all the Political and overwhelming majority of the religious leadership, etc. We Muslims are supposed to practice what we preach or do what we say we believe.

Needless to say that as long as we live on this planet we are not in the Paradise in a perfect "nothing could go wrong" environment. Things do go wrong or mistaken but concerns can be expressed, addressed or corrected, can these "Scholars" say the same about any Muslim Country?

There are many who may say or think that the laws of their new country of residence (by choice) place no restrictions on them as they are made by non-Muslims. Entering into a country is like signing a “contract to be law obedient”, I have not seen or heard of any law of Europe or USA where a Muslims is forced to do something against Islam.

A prominent scholar and Jurist Dr. Shaikh Salman Al-Oadah says that; “The Muslims living in a non-Muslim country are living in their adopted country under a covenant (pleadge, oath). They must, therefore, comply with the laws of their country of residence without disobeying Islamic Law. A Muslim is not to break or violate oaths, laws or promises. He will not be a true faithful Muslim if he does.”

For example, in Surah Al-Maidah (Ayah 1), Allah the Almighty says:“Oh you who believe! Fulfill your obligations (promises, oaths, pledges).”

In Surah Al-Isra (Ayah 34); “And fulfill every covenant. Verily! The covenant (promises, oaths, pledges) will be questioned about.”

In Surah Al-Nahal (Ayah 91); “And fulfill the Covenant to Allah when you have covenanted, and break not the oaths after you have confirmed them.”

Among the characteristics of a hypocrite is that the Prophet (peace be upon him): “…when he speaks he lies, acts treacherously toward covenants (promises, oaths, pledges), and when entrusted, he betrays.”

Muslim must set an example by character, behavior and practice of Islamic teachings, MUST avoid whatever contradicts and leaves a wrong impression of Islam on others. Muslim living in non-Muslim countries have greater responsibility as they are the living examples of Islam and Islamic teachings, their practice of Islam is a continuous “invitation of Islam” to all.

Muslims living, educating and earning in non-Muslim countries and practicing Islamic teachings themselves, are spreading Islam. They are instrumental for others to see Islam in practice.

Muslim women have an equal even greater responsibility to practice Islam in a non-Muslim environment. Muslim women should not hesitate to tell someone that they are Muslims (when asked). Give correct knowledge of Islam to the children which is not limited to recitation or memorizing few Surah of Qura’n, but also “knowledge through example” by parents, and putting the Islamic learning to practice. Please remember that life is a journey, and to reach the destination, one must have to have the correct direction. Each and every journey starts with a single first step; take the first step to be a role model and a positive example for your children and others around you. You will be preaching Islam by practicing it properly in morals, dress, food, prayers, attitude, approach, habits, rituals, and every aspect of life, etc.

To conclude, those who argue that Muslims should not live in a non-Muslim country and should immigrate to a Muslim country MUST also tell us which Muslim country to migrate to, where we could live in a peaceful Islamic environment and enjoy equal rights as others. Do they consider Pakistan , Afghanistan , Saudi Arabia , Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, Egypt, etc to be that “Islamic Country” that people should migrate to?

Muslim individual or families could live in a non-Muslim country as long as they are free to practice their religious obligations, duties, respect the rules and regulations of their country of residence.
Finally, here are two Ahadith from our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him);

Narrated by Ibn Hibban that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to a new Muslim; “O Fudaik establish prayer, pay Zakah and abandon bad deeds and live with your people wherever you like.”

Masnad Imam Ahmad narrated a Hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The countries are Allah’s countries and the people are Allah’s servants, so wherever you find good living environment you may live there.”

I seek Allah’s forgiveness for any and all of my misunderstanding and misdeed. I leave you and your loved ones in the mercy, guidance and protection of Allah The Almighty.

AND ONLY ALLAH KNOWS BEST.

Jazak’Allah Kh’air to Br. Najam A. Najmi.