I have been apart of the Muslim community for almost a year. I took my Shahada at a Halaqa in March of 2004. I have the opportunity to move in with another sister who took her Shahada around the same time as mine. My question is it Haraam to move out of my parents home and into an apartment with another sister? Right now I live at home with parents who are devote Christians. And even though they believe that I have defied them by becoming Muslim they accept me and respect my religion. I would like to move because unfortunately my older male cousin lives with us and it makes it hard for me to be comfortable at home with him in the house. I find difficult to be covered in my house at all times as well. My parents also keep two small dogs in the house. Although we have them in the house I do my best to keep them out of my room where I pray. I also feel that this move would be a good way to enhance my Deen. I know that Islaamicly women do not leave the house unless they are married, but I was wondering since I don't have a Muslim family, and the house that I live in carries the burden of my cousin would it be Islaamicly ok to move out? If I do move out, I know that it would help me from committing a major sin (a sin that Allaah warns us never to come near this unlawful deed) that has been a burden on my soul repeatedly and moving would be able to prevent it Inshaa Allaah.

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.

If the situation in your parents house is as you have stated, and you fear to be tempted in your religion and fall into committing the sin you referred to and are safe in residing with this Muslim sister, then it is an obligation on you to move out to reside with this sister or to any other safe place where it would be possible for you to carry out your religious rites and avoid what Allaah has forbidden. You and the other sister should be helping each other in righteousness and piety and advising each other to be steadfast and have patience. However, if you are able to carry out your religious obligations in your parents house and do not fear to be harmed in your religion, then it would not be an obligation on you to move out from that house.

Finally, we advise you to be kind and dutiful to your parents and to visit them from time to time, and call them to Islam. In this regard, in addition to our website there is another which is very useful in calling others to Islam with evidence as it specialises in this matter.

Allaah knows best.