Young Muslims going to Western countries Fatwa No: 85842
- Fatwa Date:13-5-2003
What is the solution for our Ummah when you see our children go away from Islam in western countries? In our Islamic countries we are not welcome!
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Know that it is unlawful for the Muslim to reside in a country where he cannot perform his religious rites, avoid what is forbidden and educate his family and children according to the right religion. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, …}[66: 6]. If he cannot do so, he must emigrate to a Muslim country or he will be among those who wronged themselves and their families. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Verily! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): "In what (condition) were you?" They reply: "We were weak and oppressed on earth." They (angels) say: "Was not the earth of Allâh spacious enough …}[4: 97]. Ibn Katheer said while interpreting this verse: 'Verily! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): "In what (condition) were you?" They reply: "We were weak and oppressed on earth." They (angels) say: 'Was not the earth of Allâh spacious enough' . al-Dahhak said: 'this verse was sent to repute the situation of a group of hypocrites who stayed behind the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) in Makkah and helped the disbelievers in the battle of Badr and got inflicted like other disbelievers in that battle. Then Allah revealed this verse' . But it is general about anybody who resides among disbelievers while he can migrate as staying with disbelievers who embarrass one when he performs his religious duties is forbidden according to the consensus of Muslim scholars and to this verse..!! Samurah Ibn Jundab said: 'The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever gets together with polytheists and resides with them he is like them" [ Abu Dawood ]. al-Suddy said: "When al-Abbass , Uqail and Nufail were imprisoned the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said to Al-abbass : "Pay a ransom on behalf of yourself and your nephew". Al-abbass said: 'O! Prophet of Allah didn't we face your Qibla and pronounce your Shahada (i.e. Aren't we Muslims)? The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Yes but you quarreled and were beaten". Then the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) read the verse: {"Was not the earth of Allâh spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?"} [ Ibn Hatim ]. When Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Except the weak ones among men, women and children…}[4: 98], this is an excuse for this category of people to give up Hijra because they can't flee away and if they flee they do not know the way out. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way. For these there is hope that Allâh will forgive them, and Allâh is Ever Oft Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.}[4: 98-99]. Allah knows best.