Can Muslims truly thrive in the West? Can they truly build a framework for their beliefs and be successful whilst maintaining their faith? Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali al-Sistani’s says:
“A Muslim who is born and raised in a Muslim country where he consciously and…
“A Muslim who is born and raised in a Muslim country where he consciously and…
subconsciously absorbs the laws, values and teachings of Islam, grows up into a young person who is aware of the customs of his religion, following its path and is led by its guidance. On the other hand, a Muslim who is born, and brought up in a non-Muslim country…
demonstrates the influence of that environment very clearly in his thoughts, ideas, behaviour, values, and etiquette unless his Lord helps him. This un-Islamic influence is seen more in the second generation of those who have migrated to non-Muslim countries.
This was the reason for Islam's view on at-ta'arrub ba'd al-hijra as reflected in many ahadith. At-ta'arrub ba'd al-hijra literally means "becoming shorn of one's percepts of faith after migrating [to city]," and technically, it means leaving an environment where you could
follow Islam and moving to a place where you maybe prone to not following Islam. Such a migration is counted as one of the major sins. Abu Basir says that he heard Imam al-Sadiq (as) saying: "The major sins are seven: killing a person intentionally; associating someone or
something with the Almighty Allah (shirk); wrongfully accusing a married woman of adultery; Knowingly dealing in usury; running away from the battle-field in jihad; at-ta'arrub ba'd al-hijra; causing distress to one's parents [by encroaching on their rights]; and wrongfully
acquiring the property of the orphan." Then he said, "At-ta'arrub and shirk are one and the same [in severity]."
Imam al-Ridha (as) explained the prohibition of at-ta'arrub ba'd al-hijra as follows: "Since there is the danger that because of at-ta'arrub, he [the immigrant] might abandon [Islamic] knowledge, get involved with the ignorant people, and drift away".
There are general rules which the Maraja have put forward towards migration and living in the West:
• It is recommended for a believer to travel to non-Muslim countries for the purpose of spreading the religion [of Islam] and its teaching, provided that he can safeguard…
• It is recommended for a believer to travel to non-Muslim countries for the purpose of spreading the religion [of Islam] and its teaching, provided that he can safeguard…
himself and his young children against the dangers of loss of the faith.
• If an immigrant Muslim residing in a non-Muslim country knows that his stay in that country will lead to loss of faith or of that of his children, it is wajib on him to return to a Muslim country.
• If an immigrant Muslim residing in a non-Muslim country knows that his stay in that country will lead to loss of faith or of that of his children, it is wajib on him to return to a Muslim country.
The truth is bitter but its fruit is sweet.
The West levels many covert & overt attacks on Islam & Muslims. The current condition for Western Muslims is not a viable one at maintaining faith. Moving back & strengthening our Islamic nations is the most viable & useful option.
The West levels many covert & overt attacks on Islam & Muslims. The current condition for Western Muslims is not a viable one at maintaining faith. Moving back & strengthening our Islamic nations is the most viable & useful option.
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