Question:

I would like to ask a question in context to this hadith "Allâh's Messenger [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] said: "Anybody (from among the Muslims) who meets, gathers together, lives, and stays (permanently) with a Mushrik (polytheist or a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allâh) and agrees to his ways, opinions and (enjoys) his living with him (Mushrik) then he (that Muslim) is like him (Mushrik)." I realise that conditions which the Ulama of the past have laid down regarding the necessity of Hijrah, according to some, do not necessarily apply today. Some Ulama I have questioned on the matter suggest that so long as there is freedom to practise religion openly, then it is permissible to remain in a non-Muslim governed land. I would like to ask: a) what do you regard as the conditions that make hijrah necessary and mustahabb b) Whether you feel that we can practise religion freely in this country. By 'practising religion freely', I would not like to restrict it to physical practise (e.g. praying etc) but also the dissimination of harmful ideas for the Muslim mind through education etc. c) If you do suggest hijrah as something to promote, who should and shouldn't go?

Answer:

The narration you mention at the start of your question does not seem to be a hadith, nor did you provide a reference for it. Nevertheless, it is sinful to live in such an immoral environment where a person's most precious possession, his Faith, is under constant attack. Parents may consider themselves saved from the surrounding harms, but what of their children? Thus for a family that has not adequately arranged for the Islamic upbringing of their children, Hijra is obligatory. This country itself affords sufficient freedom for Muslims to practice their religion and even spread it, perhaps more than many Muslim countries do today. Thus provided a person lives in such an environment with the intention of Dawah, through one's words and example, and makes proper arrangement for his own, and his children's Islamic upbringing, it would be permitted to stay here. Islamic upbringing means sending children to Muslim schools, ensuring they learn and practice Islam and generally keeping their surroundings pure from evil and practices that conflict with Islamic teachings.

Mufti Mohammed Sajjad

Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab

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The answer to this question is the opinion of the scholar and does not reflect the opinion of other scholars of As-Suffa Institute and As-Suffa Institute as an organisation.