Living in Non-Muslim Countries
When Can We Openly Practice Islam Abroad?
Shaykh Muhammad Bazmul explains that Islam can be openly practiced in non-Muslim countries if a person can freely perform prayers, fasting, and declare their faith without fear. If doing so risks safety, then they should emigrate when possible, and may stay only until they can.
Questioner
The second question, may Allāh be kind to you: What are the criteria that determine whether the religion can be openly declared and practised in the lands of unbelief?
Shaykh Muḥammad Bāzamūl:
Indeed. The criteria for determining whether the religion can be openly declared and practised in the lands of unbelief are that one is able to openly declare and practise religious rites without any trouble, that he may pray, fast and do deeds legitimised by religious law, and that he is able to declare openly that he is a Muslim and that Muslims will be granted paradise and these unbelievers will go to hell.
On the other hand, if he cannot openly declare and practise those things, like saying that I am Muslim promised paradise and you are unbelievers destined for hell, and he is afraid for his safety – if he were to declare that he was a Muslim he would fear for his safety – this is a person, then, who cannot openly declare and practise his religion in the lands of unbelief, in the West. He must, if he is able, emigrate, and if he is unable to he is permitted to stay until he is able to emigrate and finally does. And from Allāh alone we seek help.
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