The preservation of faith (īmān)and the fulfillment of religious obligations are duties upon every Muslim. The command to worship Allah ﷻ, obey his commands, and to abstain from his prohibitions applies universally and perpetually. This command is neither confined by national borders nor conditioned by residence in any land. A Muslim remains bound by this duty wherever he resides. The entire earth belongs to Allah ﷻ, and every place can become a means of attaining His pleasure provided His commandments are upheld.

Hence, the believer is commanded to live by their faith in every setting. Whether within a Muslim country where Islamic law influences public life, or in a non-Muslim society governed by secular legislation, a person must assess his ability to fulfill the divine commandments and to safeguard his own īmān.

It is understandable that a person may infer that the environment of Muslim-majority countries can be more conducive to preserving the īmān of their offspring. Acts of devotion such as congregational prayer, fasting, and public observance of ʿĪd are socially reinforced, and the presence of religious institutions facilitates one’s spiritual life. For these reasons, a person can see that their worldly and spiritual needs can be met by moving to a country that upholds such an environment.

However, this relative advantage does not necessarily translate into absolute religious preservation. Many Muslim societies today face significant moral and ideological challenges. The challenge of today is such that merely residing in a Muslim country does not guarantee protection from sin or even the safety of one’s īmān, let alone their future generations’ īmān.

Conversely, residing in a non-Muslim country is permissible as long as the Muslim can freely practice his religion and is not coerced into disbelief or disobedience.^[1] Historical precedent confirms this. Muslims have traveled to and settled in non-Muslim lands for legitimate purposes, such as daʿwa, trade, scholarship, and diplomacy. Many of these reasons for migration became the catalyst for Islam’s spread across continents.

Today, certain non-Muslim countries constitutionally guarantee freedom of religion. This affords Muslims the ability to establish masājid, madāris, and other religious organizations with the ability to operate with freedom. This has led to thousands of ʿulamāʾ, with a percentage becoming muftisor dedicating time further into other Islamic fields, being produced from western secular countries. Spiritual efforts, such as tablīgh, have allowed for millions to come close to Allah ﷻ within these countries.

Nevertheless, the Muslim must be aware of the spiritual, moral and ideological risks that accompany residence in any environment. The globalized nature of society has made an attempt to leave no stone unturned in exposure to certain secular values, social norms and liberal frameworks. It is therefore incumbent upon each believer to take deliberate measures to protect his īmān.

As such, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country a person should ensure regular attendance at the masjid, seeking the company of the pious and learned, and cultivating a proper Islamic environment within the home. Parents, in particular, must be vigilant in the moral and intellectual upbringing of their children, ensuring that their hearts remain attached to Allah ﷻ and their identities firmly rooted Islam.

Thus, the overarching principle is that wherever a Muslim resides, he must strive to make that place a means of obedience to Allah and a field for his spiritual growth. While Muslim lands may offer certain advantages in this regard, residence in non-Muslim countries remains permissible. In some cases, Muslims in non-Muslim countries become more cognizant of preserving Islamic values and practicing Islam, whereas some residents of Muslim countries may take their religion for granted. Additionally, residence and migration to non-Muslim countries can even be praiseworthy when coupled with the firm resolve of giving daʿwa.

And Allah knows best.

Ml. Ammar Ahmed
Student, Darul Iftaa Chicago

Checked and Approved:

Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago