Assalamualaikum I have a permanent residence status in Canada and I am 5 months away from acquiring a citizenship. I have read your fatwa as regarding this topic over and over again and I understand that you discourage it unless there is a dire need. Although I don't have one as of now but my relatives keep telling me to go for it since they fear that things might get difficult for Muslims in the future and to secure your residency in the country or for other security issues, they keep saying I shld not miss this chance. In the case I let go May have to continue living on pr for the rest of my life. What do u suggest I do, is it haram for me as well? Mind you the Muslim countries that I want to move into inshaAllah discriminates based on the passport I carry, foreign passports entitles you to good treatment and higher salaries,please get back ASAP.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

Essentially, it is not lawful for you to reside in a non-Muslim country unless you are able to practice your religion and have a need to reside there. It is prescribed instead to seek to reside in a Muslim country. Please refer to Fatwa 86405.

Nonetheless, you are not permitted to be naturalized as a citizen of a non-Muslim country as this involves great disadvantages and this is not permissible without a necessity.

The temporary worldly benefits which you have mentioned are not necessities that permit you to acquire the nationality of a non-Muslim country.

You should know that whoever leaves something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better. Therefore, you should forget this matter and endeavor to reside in a Muslim country and seek help from Allaah. You should also know that you will not get sustenance and whatever else except that which Allaah has predetermined for you.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 96491, 82552  and 88231.

Allaah Knows best.