Assalam Alliakum,
As I was exploring this website www.islaam.com , I came across a ruling regarding muslims who adopt the citizenships in nonmuslim countries for the sake of elevating their status in society or raising their fortunes. The following is an excerpt from the ruling given by Retd. Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani sahab along with another notable muslim scholar in an Islamic conference in Amman, Jordan.
"If a person has sufficient financial means at his disposal in his Muslim homeland
such that he can spend his life according to the standard of life of other people in his
town, but he migrates to the land of the unbelievers to raise his standard of living
and to be able to live in luxury, then such is not devoid of dislike (kiraha). He has
exposed himself to the evil spread over there without any wordily or religious need
sactioning it. Experience testifies that the religious zeal of those who adopt
citizenship for the sake of a luxurious life weakens and they melt infront of the glitter
of unbelievers. Abu Daud reports on the authority of Samura ibn Jundub that the
Prophet said, “Whoever joins a Mushrik and lives with him is like him.” (Abu
Daud, at-Tirmidhi) Jabir relates the Prophet said, “I am free of every Muslim who
lives among the Mushrikeen.” We asked, “Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He
replied, “Their fires should not be visible to one another.” (Abu Daud)
Imam al-Khattabi writes:
"Different scholars have interpreted this hadith in different ways. One is that they
are not equal in their hukm ('ruling'; meaning they both have different rulings
pertaining to them). Others say this hadith means Allah has differentiated between
Dar al-Islam and Dar al-Kufr, hence it is not allowed for a Muslim to live in the
land of the unbelievers since when they will lit their fire, he will be seen to belong to
them. It also an evidence that it is disliked (makruh) for a Muslim to goto Dar
al-Harb for trade and to stay there for more than four days." (Mu'alim us-Sunnan
by al-Khattabi. Kitab al-Jihad)
Abu Daud reports in his Marasil from Makhool from the Prophet, "Do not leave
your children among the polythiests."
This is why some jurists (fuqaha) have mentioned that Muslims living in Dar al-Kufr
and increasing their numbers for the sake of making money takes away a person's
'adala (uprightness). (Takmila Radd al-Mukhtar I:101)
(5) Taking citizenship of foreign lands to earn respect and honor, or to prefer them
over citizenship of Muslim countries, or to resemble them in daily life is absolutely
haram. This does not even require any evidence!"
This fatwa can be read in its entirety at
www.islaam.com/articles/residing_in_land_of_unbelievers.htm
[This message has been edited by iqadeer (edited June 11, 1999).]
One.
If Muslims didn't explore and move to other countries (yes to spread islam,,but hey trade was a big business)...we would not have spread the Islamic empires into spain, eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.
Second.
As Muslims living in non-Muslim countries we are able to dawah....through example. What better way to spread islam?
Third
Why the heck are people so scared of losing their faith?
it is not that easy...you have to believe in yourself wherever you are. If you don't, it doesn't matter where you are...dar ul islam or not and you will find sin and evil.
Iqadeer,
I also read the other Fatwa under:ONLY MUSLIMS WOULD GO TO HEAVEN...!
Questions:
1)What brings about these Fatwas and how often?
2)What is the procedure for passing or adopting a Fatwa? Do you need a quorum?
3)Is this Fatwa binding on all Sunni sects?
4)Can another institution, like the Al-Azhar, come out with their own Fatwa on same subject?
5)I pressume the Shias, with their different sects, issue their own Fatwas?
6)Significance & relationship of Fatwas and Shariah?
7)Any other points of importance, pls discuss.
Thanks
Dear AbdulMalick,
These are some very though-provoking questions you have come up with. To be honest with you, all of these questions require thorough research, but presently I have very little time to spare. Inshallah, I will try to find out as much as possible and as quickly as I can. As I mentioned I just stumbled upon it while surfing the net. I would, however, invite all the learned brothers of this forum to contribute their knowledge regarding your question.
In my humble opinion, the fatwas are usually given out as a result of an inquiry by a group or an individual. Most of the questions relating to the fiqh are already dealt with through these fatwas. I think there has to be a consensus among the scholars, known as ijma to pass a ruling but this is merely my opinion and I may be wrong. Yes, I believe it is binding upon muslims to observe the ruling, but once again I presume that another school of thought can come up with a different interpretation of the same ruling. I have heard that there is an international body of ulemas which is located in Saudi Arabia, I don't have the full information on it yet. Justice Taqi Usmani is also a member of this body. There may perhaps very well be some other organizations that represent other schools of thought. Yes, the shias are different as regards to the fiqh. But once again I don't know how marked is that difference. Please consult with AliAbbas on this. Fatwas are regarded as the law of Islam, and as such are at the core of shariat.
Yes, there are differences regarding the observances of practices among the sunnis, yet they all agree upon the fundamental aspects of the tauhid and prophethood of Muhammad (Sallalho Allahi Wassalam), implicit wherein is the concept of finality. And Allah knows best.
[This message has been edited by iqadeer (edited June 11, 1999).]
Kashmirigirl,
The entire fatwa actually explains the situations where it is permissible to make hijra, however, it is my understanding that we should not post here something extremely long, therefore I refrained from it. That is why I have provided the link for those who want to personally read it. Reading the entire fatwa will, inshallah, clear any questions that you or others might have.
Oh Man, I am glad to be an agnostic, too many laws and fatwas to worry about. I don’t like anyone (including God, if there is one) telling me where to live.
NY Ahmadi, i almost laughed after readong your emotional, yet ignorant statement. The truth of the matter is, that you're living where God has Willed you to live. You are living on the planet earth. If you want to prove me wrong, then move to Mars!
Assalaamu 'alaikum,
brother iqadeer,
Only last year Shaikh Farsi in a conference here in the UK said, as Shaikh Suhaib Hasan ibn Abdul Ghafaar in Britain has also mentioned, the only reason a Muslim should be residing in a non-Muslim land is for the purpose of Da'wah. This should be the only objective.
However, that is not to say, that one cannot make a living by seeking employment, or one cannot initiate a business venture. By all means this is permissible to support ones financial needs. But the priority should always remain with da'wah, and not with accumalating wealth. But if one does become rich, then this is also a Blessing from Allaah, as He is the true Giver of wealth and riches, no matter what country you're living in.
Dear Kashmirigirl,
Faith is something we take for granted. If every Muslim could clutch onto faith, then why would there be so many drunkards and Muslim 'villans' in the world. Society often plays an influence in social behaviour.
Taking two extreme examples, just to look at the situation. There is more chance that a Muslim living in Madinah will have stronger faith, than one living in London. There is a very small percentage of people who pray regularly in London as compared to Saudi, yet prayer is only one of the branches of faith. If we take all the branches, there's an ocean of difference between the two geographical examples. We under estimate the whisperings and influence of shaytaan, as well as our own desires to go astray. If we cannot even prayer regularly (and pray on time), how can we prove to ourselves, let alone anyone else, that we still have faith?
kindest regards
hasnain...thank you for your words.
Very true, society is a big influence. But..is it not in Muslim countries where we find some the of the largest hypocrites to Islam?
I've met many Muslims, who grew up in Islamic countries, with a more cynical view of religion and Islam than their western counterparts, largely because of the poor examples they saw.
I know, raising a good Muslim child begins in the home. I would think that children could avoid adverse influences if they know their religion ….and know what is not Islam…wherever they are
iqadeer
I read the fatwa...it is really good in its entirety.
What exactly is a decent living?
What if you cant find a job in a Muslim country….maybe manual labor/taxi driving etc…but not exactly a job in your field.
You can earn a living and support yourself (as a taxi driver)…but the opportunity to enhance your livelihood and support your family is greater outside.
Anyways..i'm splitting hairs here... :)but Ithought i'd respond to let you know i read it.
[This message has been edited by kashmirigirl (edited June 14, 1999).]