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Fatwa CenterPublishing scientific information in Western journals
Question
I am about to complete my PhD from an American university. I’ll return to any Islamic country once I receive my PhD, Insha Allah. If I work as a faculty Professor, I must publish papers in scientific journals that are mainly in the West. During my stay here in the USA I found that Muslims do not benefit from these publications, while others utilize information in these papers and sometimes use it to attack Muslim countries, e.g., Palestine, Iraq. My question is: if the subject of publication is not directly related to any military activity can the Muslim scientist publish his work in Western journals that are accessible to every one?
Answer
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.
Publishing papers and results of research is considered a good deed which is highly recommended by Allah. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {….do good that you may be successful.}[22:77].
So, there is no objection to your publishing in magazines (in Muslim or non-Muslim countries). Now, if the Muslims read such papers and benefit from them that’s what is sought. But if they neglect that and do not profit from it, then the writer is not to blame as his intention was pure and sincere.
But, there is one condition that you must fulfill, that is to make sure that the results of such research papers will not harm Muslims in any way.
Allah knows best.
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