I have two kids. My daughter is seven years and my son is six months old. My husband and I want to relocate to Johannesburg. Is it permissible in Islam to move from one place to the next for the benefit of our children. We want to give them a better life. And we have good jobs awaiting us there.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
You have mentioned that the welfare of your children is driving you to relocate. Having concern for the welfare and upbringing of one’s children is a responsibility placed on the parents’ shoulders. Rasūlullah Salallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam has stated:
“All of you are shepherds, and each one of you is responsible for his/her flock” [1]
The fulfillment of this responsibility guarantees a great reward from Allah Taā’la. Even after one’s demise, the pious and righteous child will be a means of perpetual reward.[2]
Unfortunately, many parents are only concerned about their children’s materialistic well-being, completely neglecting their Islamic Education. Therefore, many youngsters develop immoral habits, causing eternal remorse to their parents. Efforts have to be made to teach children proper Islamic etiquettes and behavior. Since the mother is the child’s first school, she is the main factor in instilling within them good habits.
On a daily basis, remind them about the blessings of Allah, developing in their hearts the love of Allah. Also, read to them stories of young Sahābah, creating within them the zeal to imitate.
Regarding your query, it is permissible for you to relocate for the progress of your children and for better working opportunities. However we advise you to make Niyah (intention) that the purpose of your moving is for Allah’s Dīn, since all actions are rewarded based on intentions. This was the way of the Sahābah. They moved from Mecca to Medinah only for Allah Taālā. Also, move in close proximity of the Masjid. Through experience we see that residing close to the Masjid is a means of keeping the Dīn alive and strong in the house.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Azeem bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
US
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net
[1] حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو اليَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنِي سَالِمُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، أَنَّهُ: سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَمَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، فَالإِمَامُ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالرَّجُلُ فِي أَهْلِهِ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالمَرْأَةُ فِي بَيْتِ زَوْجِهَا رَاعِيَةٌ وَهِيَ مَسْئُولَةٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهَا، وَالخَادِمُ فِي مَالِ سَيِّدِهِ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ» ، قَالَ: فَسَمِعْتُ هَؤُلاَءِ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَأَحْسِبُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «وَالرَّجُلُ فِي مَالِ أَبِيهِ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، فَكُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ (صحيح البخاري, رقم الحديث 2409: دار طوق النجاة)
[2] حَدَّثَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ يَعْنِي ابْنَ بِلَالٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أُرَاهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُول َ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: ” إِذَا مَاتَ الْإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثَةِ أَشْيَاءَ: مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ
(سنن ابي داود, رقم الحديث 2880: المكتبة العصرية، صيدا – بيروت)