The idea of hijrah or migration has a special place in the history of Muslims. It denotes the flight of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and the early Muslims to Medina to take refuge from persecution in the then pagan Mecca. 

Today, the idea of hijrah has however been given its own interpretation by Muslim extremist groups. They use it to argue in favour of the isolation of minority Muslims from the larger non-Muslim community. It is also used to encourage Muslims living in a non-Islamic environment to migrate and live with the “jihadists” who live the life of the pious pioneers of Islam so as to establish what they deem as a better Muslim community.

A glimpse of this idea was provided in the White Paper report on the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members in Singapore which reported that one of the JI leaders had sent a letter to Mullah Omar, the former head of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, asking whether Muslims (members of JI) should migrate to Afghanistan. Some Muslim extremist groups criticise Muslims who settle down in non-Muslim countries and call them to migrate instead to a Muslim country. There are also extremists who label these Muslims as disbelievers just because they live in a non-Muslim country.

Living under unIslamic conditions 

They argue that living in a non-Muslim country is wrong because Muslims will have to live under unIslamic conditions. They also claim that Muslims who willingly accept the rule of non-Muslims, and live under any rule other than the Shariah (Islamic law), in all circumstances, are committing acts that will nullify their faith. For the extremists, loyalty and sovereignty can only be given to and by God and Islam is the only way of life for Muslims. They base their argument, among others, on the following verses:

“When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: “In what (plight) were ye?” They reply: “Weak and oppressed were we in the earth.” They say: “Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (from evil)?” Such men will find their abode in Hell, What an evil refuge! Except those who are (really) weak and oppressed – men, women, and children – who have no means in their power, nor (a guide-post) to their way.”

(An-Nisa, 4:97-98) 

The consequence of this thinking is the idea that one cannot be a proper Muslim unless one lives among Muslims only. Such thinking encourages ghettoism and an exclusivist attitude in social life.

Theological Response 

It is argued that the verses (An-Nisa 4:97-99) cannot be used as absolute proof that Muslims cannot live in a non-Muslim country. On the contrary, it could also be interpreted otherwise, that is to allow a Muslim to do so. The verse, “Except the weak ones among men, women and children who can not devise (a) plan, nor are they able to direct their way.” (An-Nisa 4:98), has been interpreted by Muslim scholars to mean a Muslim is only required to migrate from a non- Muslim country if he is unable to practise his religion freely and is being oppressed.

Consequently, it also means that Muslims are allowed to live in a non-Muslim country or under a non-Muslim government, as long as they have the freedom to worship their religion and can experience basic human rights. There is no reason or compulsion for Muslims who live in such a situation to migrate.

This interpretation is supported by the fact that the Prophet s.a.w. himself permitted his uncle, Abbas to remain in Mecca, which at that time was not under Muslim rule. That proved that the injunction to migrate was not binding over everybody.

Secondly, the migration of the Prophet’s s.a.w. companions to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and their return six years after the Prophet’s migration to Medina, also suggests that migration is only necessary for those who are weak and fear religious persecution. Therefore, living in a non-Muslim country is allowed if a Muslim’s right of worship is protected.

Thirdly, not all Muslims during the time of the Prophet s.a.w. migrated to Medina. One such case was Abu Nu’aim. He became a Muslim and wanted to migrate to Medina. As he was the financial provider for a group of orphans and widows for his tribe, his people asked him to stay with the promise to protect him from any abuse. He postponed his migration plan and when he eventually migrated to Medina, the Prophet said to him: “My people have ousted me and wanted to kill me. Whilst your people protected you.” 

Fourthly, the Prophet s.a.w. said (in a narration by Imam Muslim), that those living in a non- Muslim country who later became Muslims could still remain living there and did not need to migrate.

From the pieces of evidence, it can be concluded that there cannot be a general ruling for or against Muslims living in non-Muslim countries. The ruling depends on the status of the individual and the context. Clearly then, any position prohibiting Muslims from living and settling in non-Muslim countries is not the consensus of Muslim scholars. The scholars are of the opinion that a ruling on migration depends on the situation and can be summarised as such: 

a) it is obligatory for a Muslim to migrate if he or she cannot practise his religion and fears that he cannot maintain his faith (4:97-99); 

b) Muslims who can practise Islam and can afford to migrate are only encouraged to do so. This is based on the actions of the Prophet’s uncle, Abbas and his companion, Abu Nu’aim; 

c) Muslims who cannot afford to or face difficulty in migrating are not required to do so and can remain living in that country (4:97); and 

d) it is obligatory for a Muslim to remain in a non-Muslim country if his presence and expertise is required by the Muslims there.

Rational Response 

 In today’s context, migration to a Muslim country in a classical sense is no longer relevant or practical as no particular country today can be truly classified as a Dar Al-Islam (land of Islam) in the classical sense.

Furthermore, the world has been globalised. Any attempt to isolate Muslims from other communities in order to preserve their faith and commitment to the religion is a futile effort.

Also, there is no one country, be it a non-Muslim or Muslim country, that is perfectly suitable to meet the original objective of migration, which is to allow a Muslim to practise Islam as a religion comprehensively. Practically anywhere a Muslim chooses to live, he still has to make the appropriate adjustments and accommodations to his society.

The early Muslims travelled and settled widely, from their origins in the Arab world to continents such as China and the Malay Archipelago. In each case, they settled and lived with non-Muslims, which eventually caused the spread of Islam.

Muslim minorities living in non-Muslim democratic countries must realize that whatever the imperfections, remaining in these countries is critical. By doing so, they provide abundant opportunities to share their Muslim way of life and dispelling any misconceptions about Islam.

Hence, instead of isolating themselves, Muslims must strive to actively engage with their host society by being a constructive member of the country. Active participation in the nation’s progress and development is the strongest argument against the negative image of Islam. This can be achieved in part by living in accordance with the principles of democracy and the law of the state. This will assist Muslims in building a foundation for peaceful coexistence with others.

The original article entitled “Living In a Non-Muslim Country: Responding To The Idea of Hijrah (Migration)” can be accessed at https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/923-living-in-a-non-muslim-country/#.XCxpkS2Q1Zj