Assalaamu alaykum. Is it permissible for a person to go to a country (whether it is an Islamic or non-Islamic country) if they would fear for their life there? I was told that a Muslim should not be afraid if they are going to a country which they feel is unsafe for them to enter. Rather, they should put trust in Allaah. However, did Allaah not tell us that if someone does not feel comfortable about going to a country, then they should not go? Does this mean that a Muslim is not God-fearing?

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

It is not permissible for a Muslim to travel to a country where he fears for his life, because safeguarding one’s life is one of the five basic necessities in Islam, and it is forbidden for a Muslim to do what harms him; Allah says (what means): {…and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction.} [Quran 2:195]

Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet said, “There should be no harm nor reciprocal harm." [Ahmad]

The statement that a Muslim should not be afraid of going to a country when he does not feel safe to enter that country is an invalid statement, because the fear here is not dispraised, and it does not negate having trust in Allah or fearing Him Alone.

Al-Hidaayah ila buloogh An-Nihaayah, a book authored by Abu Muhammad Makki ibn Abi Taalib, reads:

“Having trust in Allah, according to the prominent scholars who are well versed in the principles of religion, means having trust in Allah in all matters and surrendering to Him and having the knowledge that His Decree will happen without doubt and following His Order, and it does not mean that a person throws himself into danger fearing nothing and not being cautious of anything and exposing himself to destruction … the Prophet and Abu Bakr entered the cave (to hide therein), and the Prophet entered Makkah (on the day of the Conquest of Makkah) wearing a helmet on his head. He also set out on the day of the battle of Uhud with two shields on him, and the Companions of the Prophet fled to Abyssinia and then to Madeenah out of fear for their lives. If having trust in Allah means throwing oneself into destruction and not taking precautions against anything that causes fear and facing the enemy and wild animals without weapons, then the Prophet and his Companions would have done so; rather, they feared, fled, armed themselves, and took precautions.” 

For more benefit, please refer to fatwa 92486.

Allah knows best.