A question about Hijrah from the Non-Muslim Countries to the Lands of Islam ―And the reality of life in the West for Muslims once you remove the rose-tinted glasses…

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Question:

The question is that some of the scholars or many of them say that hijrah from the lands of kufr to the lands of Islaam is something that is recommended (mustahabb). Is there an occasion when it can become wājib (obligatory)?

Answer:

(Based on a transcribed audio Q&A)

Good question, alhamdulillah, especially for the times we are living in, and considering the difficulties we encounter. Actually, with regards to the hijrah, the details of it are important to understand.

To migrate from the lands of Islam to the lands of kufr is forbidden. I do not know any of the fuqahā who say otherwise. I do not know of any scholars who say that it is permissible to migrate from the lands of Islam to the lands of kufr. Meaning to leave for example Pakistan and move to France or Britain, or to leave Morocco for Germany or Spain. This is not allowed—or to leave Yemen or Somalia to reside in Canada or the US. It is not permitted to migrate from the lands of Islam to reside amongst the non-Muslims. Of course, the answer requires proof which I have dealt with elsewhere. Here, I give you a summary of the discussion and some underlying reasons.

Firstly, is it allowed to visit the lands of kufr after having settled in a Muslim country? Yes, that is allowed.

The people of knowledge have permitted travel to the lands of the non-Muslims for the purposes of trade, business, diplomacy (ambassadors, etc.), or to visit relatives, or to learn important skills, i.e., skills that are not found in Muslim countries and can only be acquired by travelling to the lands of the non-Muslims, so Muslims may travel to acquire these skills to aid the people of Islam, such as engineering, electronics, IT, etc. However, parents who send their sons for this purpose must have cultivated and taught them to maintain and protect their religion from corrupt influences. Their sons should be steadfast Muslims, obedient to Allah and His Messenger (salallāhu alaihi wasallam), and already married, so they are protected from falling into fornication and that which leads to it.

Muslims can also travel for medical treatment or specialised surgery that cannot be found in the Muslim countries, and after the treatment, they must return home. However, in my experience, there is very little need in this age to travel for this purpose due the availability of expert treatment in the Muslim nations.

As for travelling to become a resident, to desire to live amongst the kuffār, and build your homes amongst them, then this is not allowed. What comes to mind is the [illegal] migrants who struggle, strive, bribe and pay their way to get to Europe, Australia and North America. These migrants sacrifice everything to reach the West because they seek economic benefits and the liberal Western lifestyle. These people are often referred to as economic migrants. They say, “Our lands are poor. So we want to go to the lands which are wealthier in order to become economically strong.” This is not permissible for a Muslim. It is harām to travel to the lands of the kuffār with the intention of settling there for economic reasons.

Yes, I know that our fathers and forefathers arrived here for a better life because they were poor in their home countries. In fact, they were encouraged and cajoled to come, just like the Windrush generation (who arrived from the Caribbean between 1948-1971) because they lived in the Common Wealth (former British Colonies). The British wanted our parents to help rebuild Britain after two devastating World Wars and after the disintegration of the Empire. Furthermore, our forefathers did not know the Sharī’ah rulings, they did not know the rulings of Islam in these matters.

So, when they came to Europe, the lands they left behind were colonies of the imperial powers of the time such as France, Britain and Italy―or they had recently gained independence. These colonial powers ruled over many Muslim nations such as India, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco to name just a few―many were under their rule for centuries. Libya was ruled by the Italians; Morocco, Algeria and much of West Africa by the French; the Indian sub-continent (i.e. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Kashmir), Malaysia, Egypt, Iraq and East Africa by the British. Some of these countries changed hands between the powers over the years. The point is they were occupied and ruled by non-Muslims.

Our forefathers lived under occupation for centuries. Then as imperial rule came to an end after the Second World War, and during the struggle for independence, our grandparents and parents arrived in the UK seeking a “better life”, free from poverty. Muslims had lived under the harsh rule of the European powers for centuries, millions lived in serfdom as third-class citizens in their own countries. Their lands were systematically stripped of riches and resources—this was theft on a grand scale, unprecedented in human history. So, when they were invited to Britain, they saw it as an opportunity to become financially stable—and most intended to return home at some stage. That’s why for decades (after arriving), they sent large amounts of their earnings “back home”, they built homes, bought more and more land and visited as often as they could. And, they didn’t look at their migration from an Islamic point of view because they didn’t know the rulings of Islam or the fiqh of hijrah. For them, it was simply a question of survival. Over time, they became settled in Britain, sent for their womenfolk, had children, bought homes in Britain, set up businesses and established roots. So that’s from an aspect.

The point is that today we have come to know that it is harām to migrate from a Muslim country to a non-Muslim country with the intention of settling―whether from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Morocco, Jordan, etc., unless you fear for your life. If the regime wishes to harm you, imprison you or kill you unjustly, then you can flee with your religion and your life, but to the nearest Muslim land. You are not allowed to travel 8,000 miles across oceans and seas smuggled in containers onboard ships; or by hiding under lorries after having paid thousands of dollars to smugglers just so you can get to London or Paris! That is not permitted or necessary. If, for example, you are living in Africa or Asia, and you are suffering unbearable oppression, and you fear for your life and religion, then you can leave, but to the nearest Muslim land. Flee with your religion to save yourselves and your families from harm―but you should not flee for economic reasons, nor because you want the freedom to sin in a western liberal society!

What about Muslims already living in the West?

As for Muslims presently living in non-Muslim countries, either because they were born there, raised there, their parents brought them there, or they didn’t know any better when they initially arrived―then I take the position, which is the position of the scholars, that it is obligatory to return to the Muslim countries, except for those who are involved in missionary work (da’wah) after having studied and been approved for that task by the people of knowledge. Other than this, it is wājib for the people to return to the lands of Islam: Morocco, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and so on. This is regardless of whether they are poor countries or wealthy countries. It is wājib to return back to them—go and live among your own people and among the Muslims.

Now that throws up a lot of complications without doubt, as there may be a language barrier―when you return, you have nowhere to live; there may not be many Salafis in your village or town. So all of this needs to be taken into consideration―and the affair of hijrah requires preparation. You don’t just pack your bags and catch a flight to a Muslim country and expect accommodation, education and a Salafi community ready-made and waiting to receive you… no. Rather, you need to be prepared, do your research―and finances must be considered. Wealth and savings are from the means you should employ carefully to head back to the lands of Islam, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam).

So make yourself financially strong, wealthy, hold assets and acquire technical know-how in building, plumbing, engineering, IT, etc., so that when you return to the lands of Islam, you are able to sustain yourselves (with Allah’s help), and aid your country and the Muslims. We should use the skills and wealth we acquire to advance the Muslim countries—and our correct practice of Islam should be an example to others.

Hijrah is mentioned by Shaykh Al-Islam, Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhāb (rahimahullāh) in his Three Fundamental Principles (Thalāthatul-Usool). He said: “Migration (Al-Hijrah) is to move from the land of polytheism to the land of Islām. Migration from the land of polytheism to the land of Islām is an obligation upon this Ummah, and it remains as such until the Hour is established.”

Also the saying of the Most High:

يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ أَرْضِي وَاسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّايَ فَاعْبُدُونِ

«O My servants who believe! Certainly, spacious is My earth, so worship Me.» [Sūrah Al-‘Ankabūt: 56]

Al-Baghawī (may Allah’s mercy be upon him) said: “The reason behind the revelation of this verse was because of the Muslims who were in Makkah and yet they did not migrate…”

Allah knows best, but I hold hijrah today to be more obligatory than it was 10, 20 or 30 years ago. This is because of the difficulties we are experiencing in practising our religion here in the West. Imām Al-Albānī (may Allah have mercy upon him) in his time, back in the 1970s, 80s and 90s held it to be wājib―that was then―when it was easier to practice Islam in European countries under the banner of tolerance, multiculturalism and pluralism which allowed people to practice their religions freely―and they weren’t curtailing our practice.

Today, Western governments restrict the practice of our Islam and use the legal apparatus to achieve that―Muslims are prevented from speaking about Islam freely: about our religious beliefs, our ‘aqeedah, our manhaj, al-walā (allegiance for Allah’s sake), al-barā (disavowal for Allah’s sake), about Christianity, Judaism, Zionism, gender identity, homosexuality, etc. Muslim thought and free speech is being curtailed. Muslims are targetted, victimised and restricted in da’wah, worship and practice. We’re not talking here about violence, because we are the first to oppose violence, extremism and terrorism. Rather, I refer to our ability to practice and express our Islamic views in public are ridiculed, demonised and threatened. The education system and the news media sideline Islamic opinions and views and even poke fun at religion―they ridicule our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) openly, without any respect for our beliefs and feelings. The education system indoctrinates our children to reject Islamic doctrine more and more as the generations pass. Soon Muslim children will have no connection to Islam except through their names, and Allah knows best! Hudhayfah narrated that the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) said,

يَدْرُسُ الإِسْلاَمُ كَمَا يَدْرُسُ وَشْىُ الثَّوْبِ حَتَّى لاَ يُدْرَى مَا صِيَامٌ وَلاَ صَلاَةٌ وَلاَ نُسُكٌ وَلاَ صَدَقَةٌ وَلَيُسْرَى عَلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي لَيْلَةٍ فَلاَ يَبْقَى فِي الأَرْضِ مِنْهُ آيَةٌ وَتَبْقَى طَوَائِفُ مِنَ النَّاسِ الشَّيْخُ الْكَبِيرُ وَالْعَجُوزُ يَقُولُونَ أَدْرَكْنَا آبَاءَنَا عَلَى هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةِ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ فَنَحْنُ نَقُولُهَا

“Islam will wear out as embroidery on a garment wears out, until no one will know what Fasting, Prayer, the Hajj rites and charity (Zakāh) are. The Book of Allah will be taken away (raised) in a night, and not one verse of it will be left on earth. There will be some people left in the land, old men and old women, who will say: “We used to see our forefathers saying these words: ‘La ilāha illallāh’ so we say them too.”

Silah said to Hudhayfah: “What good will saying: Lā ilāha illallāh do them when they do not know Fasting, Prayer, the Hajj rites and charity?” Hudhaifah turned away from him. Silah repeated his question three times, and Hudhaifah turned away from him each time. Then he turned back to him on the third occasion and said: “O Silah! It will save them from Hell,” and he said it three times. (Reported by Ibn Majah, no. 4049, and graded sahih Shaikh by Al-Albāni)

This is ultimately where living in the lands of the non-Muslims will lead (and Allah knows best)―and today we witness this with our own eyes among so many people. And this is to the delight of the unbelievers and the atheists―that young Muslims are losing connection to their Islamic heritage―and the unbelievers refer to this as “integration into the culture of the host nation”! (By stripping away and denying the heritage of the people!)

This decline in Islamic identity reminds me of the narration of the Prophet’s Companion, Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, “Whoever settles in the lands of the non-Muslims, celebrates their festivals [of Nayrūz and Mahrajān], and he imitates them and then he dies whilst in that state, he will be gathered with them on the Day of Resurrection.” (Sunan Al-Kubrā of Al-Bayhaqī, 9/234, Ibn Taymiyyah stated that its chain of narration is authentic in Iqtidā As-Sirāt Al-Mustaqīm, 1/457)

In this narration we see a severe threat and warning―not that one becomes an unbeliever by these deeds of course―but he has fallen into the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “Whomsoever resembles a people is from them.” So he should be afraid of following them because that may cause him or his offspring to abandon their duty to Allah, or abandon Islam altogether over time―wal-‘iyādhubillāh (and refuge is with Allah).

You want to be with them, live like them, dress like them and behave like them. And you want your children to be educated by them and raised by them. Then, where do you expect to be standing on the Day of Resurrection? Where will you be standing? We seek refuge with Allah from being deceived by Shaytān.

The progressive generations are not like the first generation of Salafis. We know that the generation of the Companions was stronger in faith and practice than the generation of the tābi’een – there’s no comparison between the two. Then as the generations proceeded, the practice of the religion became progressively weaker and this is established in a hadeeth where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “There does not come a time except that the time which came after it is more evil than the time which came before it up until you meet Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.”

A group of scholars hold that Muslims who already live in the lands of the non-Muslims can remain there (though it is encouraged for them to migrate), so long as they can make apparent the practice of their religion. Some people interpreted this and limited this to “as long as he is able to pray without being prevented.” Shaykh Al-Fawzān explained that this is not correct, rather it means you can practice your religion freely, completely and openly in front of the people―and you can call to Allah without fear, reprisals or restrictions, and there are no constraints placed upon you. Is that the case in these so-called liberal Western democracies? Not at all. We know that Muslim students are not allowed to leave lessons in schools and colleges and pray Salāh, let alone attend Jumu’ah at the Masjid―nor is it allowed for thousands of employees at their workplaces. So they are forced to hide or sneak away just to pray!

France is probably the worst example. It’s virtually impossible to live in France as a Muslim who is free to practice his or her religion. He is only allowed to pray in his home, or in the masjid―he cannot pray in public. Women cannot wear the niqāb; a woman in hijāb cannot go to a beach because she’ll be arrested and fined. And now the European Union law states that it is allowed for an employer to fire or refuse to employ a Muslim woman who wears the hijāb (basically, a headscarf, in their definition): “No employment for you until you take off your scarf.” How is it possible to live in this type of environment?

So, as time goes on, it becomes progressively harder for Muslims to live in the lands of non-Muslims. But the question that really needs to be asked is: Why do we want to live in such a hostile place? Why would a Muslim want to live in an environment like this?

I can understand that if you live near a Salafi Markaz or Masjid, you become attached to the community around you. That’s understandable―but as for the country itself, why would you want to live there? Why would you want to sacrifice the education, well-being and cultivation of your children by allowing yourselves and your future generations to be raised and indoctrinated in a country like this that will strip away Islam from your children, or your grandchildren?

Generationally, it is not viable for Muslim communities to survive and thrive in environments like this where Islam is not the dominant culture. Anywhere where there is a dominant culture, it will overcome those who are different to them―those who are weak; or they will be marginalized and forced into ghettos, like the Muslims (and ethnic minorities in general) here in Britain, Europe; and the same applies to North America and Australia. That’s why we live in enclaves and ghettos (practically)―because Muslims and ethnic minorities feel safer among themselves. A lot of sisters say, “I never really leave Small Heath, Alum Rock and Bordesley Green (in Birmingham).” Why? Because she knows that she’ll face Islamophobia, racial harassment and verbal abuse because of her religion and race.

I do not know a single practising Muslim with a beard, who wears a thawb, or a woman who wears the hijāb, jilbāb and khimār except that they have been victims of Islamophobia and racism (at some point), verbal or physical abuse. And you all know this reality as Muslims or as people from an ethnic minority! That does not happen in Muslim countries. Does this mean there is no crime in Muslim countries? Of course, there is―but not nearly as bad or as prevalent as in these Western nations. In poorer Muslim countries, street criminals mostly want your sunglasses or your wallet, it is not your religion that they’re after. In fact, the practice of your religion may be a cause for them to fear Allah and leave you alone.

Here (in the West) when they bully you, attack you, target you or shame you, they do so because of your outward practice of the religion. They treat you unfairly, discriminate against you and take away your rights because of your religion. They pass laws against Islamic morals and ethics, that are deliberately aimed at Muslims—laws that curtail speech and behaviour. So, now when many Muslims speak, they do so in fear, they talk cautiously, often in whispers fearing that they may be targeted or shamed. Not because they condone violence — indeed we oppose violence and terrorism. Muslims talk in whispers because they’re afraid of being called extremists. Why? Because they approve of the niqāb and the hijāb; because they express their love for the Prophet Muhammad (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) and their severe dislike at him being disrespected, mocked and caricatured; because they will only eat halāl meat; they will not celebrate Christmas or Valentines Day; because they dislike promiscuous behaviour, adultery, homosexuality and the unnecessary sexualisation of children, and their indoctrination. We hear Muslims say: “They might think I’m an extremist because my wife covers herself and wears the hijāb and niqāb, or because I want somewhere to pray at work, or because my daughter doesn’t want to go swimming with boys at school.”

So, I hold it to be wājib to make hijrah. The proof for this is in the saying of Allāh, the Most High: 

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ظَالِمِي أَنفُسِهِمْ قَالُوا فِيمَ كُنتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا كُنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَا فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا ۝ إِلَّا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا ۝ فَأُولَٰئِكَ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا

«Verily! As for those whom the angels take in death while they are wronging themselves, the Angels say to them: “In what condition were you?” They reply: “We were weak and oppressed on Earth.” The Angels say: “Was not the Earth of Allāh spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?” Such will find their abode in Hell, and what an evil destination! Except for the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their own way. For these, there is hope that Allāh will forgive them, and Allāh is ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.» [Sūrah An-Nisā: 97-99]

There are somewhere in the region of 55 Muslim countries and some of them are vast lands. If you come from a Muslim heritage country, then it is easier for you. I know brothers who have gone back to Albania and brothers who are thinking of going back to Turkey because Turkey is becoming more religiously aware after decades of secularism. Others are returning to Somalia, Morocco, Egypt, Pakistan and Algeria; especially from France, in their thousands. They’re leaving France and going back to Morocco and Algeria. And who wouldn’t want to live in Morocco? Healthy food, fresh fruit, vegetables, free-roaming cattle, fish, lovely climate, beautiful beaches, rivers, valleys, forests and mountains―and of course adhān five times a day! Why would you live in the ghettos of Europe and the US with abandoned fridges and mattresses left in front of your home, and drug addicts on every street corner, when you can go back to Morocco or Pakistan!?

The whole issue with living in the West is that they exaggerate the lifestyle of their countries―it’s like a mirage. Those living in the developing world or poorer countries are shown a fantasy on the screens, on their phones and on social media, of what London, Oxford, Birmingham, New York and Paris are like. And when they arrive, the reality is so much different to what they imagined or were shown―it’s like trying to put that square peg into the round hole because when they get here, they see it’s not the dreamland they imagined.

Even so, they still chase the shadows, “One day, one day, one day…that dream home, that dream car, that dream lifestyle.” But it doesn’t materialise, or if it does, then most of the time it’s at the expense of the religion. So the dream life did not materialise for your grandfather, not for your father, and not for you – neither will it for your children and grandchildren, because Muslims (and ethnic minorities) are second class citizens or are only “allowed” to make progress if they relinquish their religious heritage and take on board the morals, manners, clothing, fashions and behaviour of the host country. So even if they attain some of the dunyā: a position in government, wealth and acceptance in a plush neighbourhood, then at what cost? At the expense of your religion, your history, your language and your heritage?

So hijrah is wājib. And preparation is also wājib. So, build yourselves economically. Get a good job. If you have a house, think about how you can utilize it as a springboard to migrate through its sale, rent or AirBnB, etc.

Many of us have become too comfortable living among people who don’t really want us here. And many of you, especially if you’re near my age, have seen calamities take place among the younger generation: guns, gangs, knife crime, drugs, drink, fornication, homosexuality, and even abandonment of prayers and religion. Yet you’re still here because you think it will get better, but it doesn’t get any better! The schooling and education for children doesn’t get better for Muslims (or religious people) who wish to raise their children with good character and traditional manners. The news which you read in the media doesn’t get better, it becomes more and antagonistic towards “outsiders” who are seen as the enemy within. The right-wing see us as a threat to their values and culture, they know that most “outsiders” are not true patriots and nationalist flag-wavers―and the liberal left sees them as anti-liberal and intolerant towards homosexuals, transexuals, and people of loose morals.

The point I am making was that if you come from a Muslim heritage country, you don’t have to look for the village that your great grandfather came from just like in Britain, you don’t live in Birmingham because of your great grandfather, your uncle or your aunt. You’ve come here because of the da’wah, the Salafi da’wah.

When you go back to your home country, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan or wherever it is, then go and seek out the Salafi community. Even it is five families upon Salafiyyah in a town, alhamdulillāh, it’s a starting point. Brothers and sisters, there is no real long term future in these countries on a generational level. Yes, for the next three to five years you will survive, inshā’-Allāh. Then when your children turn 15, 16 and 17, they’ll find it very hard to resist the temptations around them: music, girls, movies, drugs, sex, etc.

Like I’ve said before, take the example of the UEFA Euro football tournament that took place this year (2021), people across Europe, even Muslims, became engrossed. Practising Muslims with big beards and thawbs praying 5 times a day sat around for hours with their wives and kids watching the matches day after day. Many of you in this country, when England won, you celebrated the victory, and just like them, you were overjoyed. And when they lost, and they became sad, and you also became sad with them. They cried tears and you cried along with them. When they won, you were happy just like them. When they jumped up from their seats and punch the air, and danced around the room, you did the same! For what and for who?!

That’s the reality of living in these countries. When they are happy, you are happy. When they are sad, you are sad ―oblivious to the real important things happening around the world. So they have set up these fleeting amusements and this entertainment to keep you and your families busy―so you are kept busy, from one distraction to the next, day after day, week after week, month after month. And you’re thinking to yourselves, “It is only a football match!” No, it’s not―you know what it means to you. You know how exhilarated you were when your team won. And living in England, you have Somalis, Yemenis, Afghanis, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and so on supporting England. When they won a few matches, they said, “We’ve won!” and “the cup is coming home”, meaning the European cup. They said it, so you said it.

Anyway, when they (England) got through the quarter-finals, then the semi-final and then to the final, you saw practising religious Muslims celebrating with them. Happy and joyous… but for what? For entertainment, they’ve invented to unite you and gather you together in sorrow and happiness? They want fans to support the national team, to show pride – and so you become a fan, and you are proud. What’s a fan? He’s a fanatic. That’s what a fan is right? “I support England”, “I support France”, “I support Germany” and so on. Do they support you, your freedom to practice and worship? They don’t even like you or “your kind”, and you know that and experience it when you as a practising man or woman travel out of the ghettos.

Many reverts to Islam won’t change their names to an overtly Muslim name on their official documentation because they know that they’ll be discriminated against when they seek employment or travel or if they get into “trouble” with the law. A large number of non-Muslims consider practising Muslims to be extremists and they don’t want you to practice your religion faithfully. Yet you want to support them, “That’s our team.”

So you went to the sports shop and bought their football shirt – and you wore it for the final in front of the 56 inch plasma TV screen. You got the team scarf and put it around your neck and you waved the national flag because that’s what they do, right? And when they lost, you were disheartened, and you cried just like they cried. And when three black men whom they recruited for the England team (because they were skilful) went on to miss three penalties, you saw the reality of this land. Or did you miss it? The raw naked racism came out. It was disgusting. They tried to cover it up with hollow words, “No, no! This is a fringe minority of racists.” I say go and look at screenshots from Twitter, Facebook and the various social media feeds. This is not a minority view, we know because we’ve been victims of this for decades. So mainstream and social media companies tried to shut it down, and it was really hard work! They created algorithms to shut out racism against black people.

So what’s next, “We’re going to bring the Ashes home” when England play Australia at cricket. Australia was a former colony, and Queen Elizabeth is still their monarch. So England is going there to play cricket and to bring the Ashes home. So you see Muslims saying, “We are England fans.” Then the whole cycle starts again. This in itself is a small part in a huge mosaic that these people have constructed. And the underpinning all of this is indoctrination into the host culture, beliefs, habits and values. They used to say in the 1980s, “You’ll know when a person is truly integrated by asking him who he supports in cricket.” So the Carribeans will have to support England and not the West Indies. And the Pakistanis would have to support England and not Pakistan in cricket. Meaning: we’ll know their allegiance by who they support. That’s how they form group identities and patriotism. So you need to get out before this is actually instilled further into our people, the Muslims.

Prepare yourselves. Get your families ready and remind them that we’re going back. And then take steps. Alhamdulillāh, some of our brothers have gone back already. They are building their homes. And they are beautiful countries. Why would you want to live in rough ghettos riddled with crime and street gangs, in a tight, damp rented house when you can go to a warm, green and lush Muslim country? Fertile land with your own business possibly, your own home and cattle if you choose, and can afford it―but you must plan well. This is a project, so plan and manage this project. Open a bank account in your home country, send money into that account and slowly save up―get your national ID card made for Morocco, Pakistan, etc. You can send money and make money, alhamdulillāh. You know best your own countries. Morocco as I’ve already mentioned, Algeria, Pakistan, Somaliland and Egypt. And there are Salafis in all of these countries. You have to find them before you go, make contact before you go. Network with people, get to know them

Of course, there will always remain a group of Muslims who will stay in the non-Muslim lands. Many just can’t leave because they have no Muslim heritage country, or because of the fact that it is just not possible for them, financially―they cannot afford it. Single mothers, old people and those who are weak. And, likewise, those who are giving da’wah and teaching. Someone has to stay here to give da’wah―they will have to stay. And the du’āt, they are mujāhidīn in the path of Allah, inviting people to the beauty of Islam and warning them from disobedience to Allah. They’re here not because they love to be here, but because they are calling the people to Allāh and guiding them to worship Him alone (the Mighty and Majestic). So they stay here for that purpose.

And all praise is for Allah, Lord of all creation.

Abu Khadeejah.

[Based on a transcribed audio Q&A]

7 Comments

  1. Beautifully written. An eye-opener…
    I did not know that it is wājib to make hijrah, even though I am an Indian. I and my children always dreamt of going abroad. May Allah reward you.

    • Mashallah both right on time and right on target; in fact felt like I was reading my own thoughts unraveling. I commend you for the unapologetic yet heartfelt approach here and pray Allah (God) makes it weigh heavy on the good side of your scale come judgement day and that both non-Muslims but particularly Muslims take heed and follow this lead because it will only increase them in benefit here and the afterlife where we should all be really concerned about (it’s what matters most)

  2. May Allah bless you Shaykh.
    Could you please write one detail article about preparing for the migration and steps involved in the preparation, possible place to migrate and everything that one should bear in mind while migrating.
    Jazakallahu Khair

  3. Wow mashAllah! what an amazing piece I have just read! It totally captivated me. And how detailed and how true without room for sugar coating! Only someone who truly knows the Muslim dilemma in the west could write with such accuracy! I hope this will inspire us all. Only problem is we need an article to help us build confidence once we’re in the Muslim land too and the push from ourselves, or family members who want to go back to the non Muslim lands due to many trials in the Muslim countries also family members who want to go back mostly to save their council flats or the “base” back home, or when one spouse is giving the other hell for wanting to continue and waiting for Allahs promise for those who migrated! They say you will live like a bowab (Egyptian doorman) if you continue with your foolishness waiting for Allahs promise! There is so much pressure to give up and return! They point out to the beggars and elderly rough sleepers in the Muslim land and openly exclaim “that will be you if you give up your council flat!” It is so scary!

  4. May Allah preserve your dignity and protect your messages from getting distorted.
    Great, eye opening message.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.