Where Should I Migrate for Safety While Upholding Islamic Values?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I am considering migration because of safety and rights concerns, but I’m hesitant about potentially supporting Israel indirectly by moving to countries like Germany, the USA, or Canada. Are there better alternatives?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question. Allah Most High, keep you steadfast upon it and make you a means to spread good in your society.

Preference for Living in Muslim Lands

It is better to live in Muslim lands if one can. This is the safest and most effective way to ensure one’s faith and the faith of our future children.

However, if circumstances make you migrate, then you should choose a country where you can practice your religion and have a firm intention and plan to learn and practice it. Seek guidance (Istikhara) from Allah Most High and take advice (Istishara) from others. Read this link.

Challenges Are Universal

There are challenges worldwide; some countries have more, and some have less. It may be advisable to practice patience since there are challenges for people of faith worldwide. However, the challenges will remain. Also, wherever you go, you will be indirectly supporting these oppressive regimes.

If you do move, you can work to make the voices of the vulnerable and oppressed heard by working hard spiritually, socially, politically, and economically.

The Greatest Gift: Faith, Guidance, and Continuous Dua

The greatest gift we have is the gift of faith and guidance. The one thing we ask Allah Most High for in every cycle of every prayer is to remain guided on the Straight Path, [Quran, 1:6]. It is important to continuously make the following Quranic dua:

رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنٖ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

“Our Lord! give us from our wives and successive generations of offspring a pure joy to set eyes upon for their righteousness, and make us to the godfearing an exemplar.” [Quran, 25:74]

It is important to remember that Allah tests those whom He loves, and facing these challenges may be a means of purification and elevation in the Hereafter. I pray that Allah grants you ease, opens doors for you, and alleviates humanity’s difficulties. Amin.

Related

• Migration
• Is it Permissible to Move from a Muslim Country to a Non-Muslim Country?
• Istikhara, The Prayer of Seeking Guidance: The Ultimate Guide – A Reader – SeekersGuidance
• How to Interpret Istikhara? 
• How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (Salat al-Haja)? 

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.