Fatwa

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Necessity of Muslims remaining in UK
Fatwa No: 88559

Question

I have read some of your Fatwa concerning migrating to Islaamic countries. It is said that it is forbidden to live in a un-Islaamic country if there is no special need to live there, i.e. no Da'wa work. However, I live in UK and feel that I can practice Islaam quite well. All the facilities I need are here. And I can see that Islaam is spreading very much in UK. If all those Muslims were to migrate who do not do any Da'wa work, hardly any Muslims were to exist in UK and the Ummah would be very small. In order to grow some Muslim roots here, Muslims do need to stay in UK. I heard of many Muslim sisters from Pakistan, Arab countries etc. that it is easier to practice Islaam in UK than in their own countries. As for other European countries I do understand that migration is necessary, e.g. France, Belgium or Germany, i.e. wearing scarf in schools or slaughtering in the way of Shariah is prohibited. In spite of all this, is it still necessary to move from UK?

Answer

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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

We have previously clarified in Fatwa: 84163 that migration could be obligatory, or could be recommended. Migration is obligatory on whoever is not able to practise his religion or fears falling into trials, and is able to migrate. As regards whoever is able to perform his religious duties, has enough piety and knowledge to repel desires and misconceptions, then it is not obligatory upon him to migrate but it is recommended for him to do so.

Thus the ambiguity regarding this matter can be clarified and dispelled. We also refer the questioner to the Fatwa mentioned above; it is a detailed Fatwa on obligatory and recommended migration.

It might be that the Fatwa mentioned in the question was an answer to a questioner who wanted to migrate from a Muslim country to a non-Muslim one. A person with that intention cannot be advised to do so unless there is an urgent need.

Allaah knows best.

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