Fatwa n°: 275

Category: fatwas of creed (`Aqîda) - Al-Walâ' and Al-Barâ'

The required condition of traveling to a country of disbelievers

Question:

I am a brother who emigrated from France to Algeria with my family one year ago. Until now, I have not found a job. So, is it permissible for me to travel to France for a period of three months at the most in order to work?

Answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

It is permissible for a person to travel to a country of disbelievers in order to work or trade provided that he knows his religion, that his religion be in security, that he will be capable of performing the rites of Islam completely and be capable of applying the principle of Al-Walâ' and Al-Barâ' (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity). However, if his religion is not in security and he is not capable of showing the rites of Islam in a complete way, it is not permissible for him to travel to these countries for fear of feeling loyalty to disbelievers and loving them.

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Algiers, Rajab 21, 1426 H.
Corresponding to: August 26^th, 2005