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Migration to a Muslim Country

Answered as per Maliki Fiqh by BinBayyah.net

We want to migrate to a Muslim country. How can we get out of a non-Muslim country to a Muslim one while the Muslim country does not accept us? The worst thing is that they prefer non-Muslims to work for them, though we have better qualifications. We want to stop paying taxes to them, because they use this money to strike the Muslims and also store it up for themselves. We want somebody to help us to migrate to a Muslim country.

All praise is due to Allah alone. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. This question has various aspects:
First, the questioner asks about how to get out of a non-Muslim country to travel to a Muslim one. It is known that this “how” is governed by systems, laws and customs. One needs a visa, job and other things that this site (Islamtoday) may not be able to provide for every Muslim who wants to leave a non-Muslim country to go to a Muslim one; because Muslim countries have their systems and authorities in this regard.
The other thing is that the questioner says that he does not want to reside in a non-Muslim country, which is a good feeling. However, we say to him, “Allah never tasks a soul beyond its capacity.” [2:286] If he can fulfill the rites of his religion and is able to worship Almighty Allah in such a non-Muslim country, he does not have to leave. Ibn Hibban reported (4861) with a trustworthy chain of narrations that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Fudayk, “O Fudayk! Duly establish the Prayer and shun evil, and you may dwell wherever you like in the land of your people.” One of the narrators thought that he said, “then you will be an émigré.” The tribe of Fudyk were non-Muslims and he dwelled with them. He came to ask about immigration. Therefore, therefore according to three imams and in mostly the three fiqh schools; namely, the Shafi`tes, the Hanilites and the Hanfites, if one is able to fulfill the rites of his religion, migration is not obligatory. Malik (may Allah have mercy with him) together with the Zahirites have different opinions. Thus the issue is broad. “Allah never tasks a soul beyond its capacity.” If he can go to a country where he can practice his religion better, this will be good. But if he cannot, he should know that the issue is broad. Some scholars, like al-Mawardy, maintained that if one can practice his religion, he should not even leave and should remain in the country; because if he leaves, the country will be void of Muslims. The issue is broad.
We ask Almighty Allah to grant success to us and to the questioner and to guide Muslim countries to receive Muslims instead of receiving others, and to hire them instead of hiring others, particularly those who are skilled and competent, as indicated in the question.
As for the issue of paying taxes to the non-Muslims, he ought to pay the taxes in order to protect himself and his property. There in no harm in this. Allah knows best

This answer was collected from BinBayyah.net, which contains of feature articles and fatawa by world renowned ‘Alim, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, from Mauritania.

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