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Fatwa CenterWants to migrate to a Muslim country but has to take care of his aging parents
Question
Assalamu Alaikum, I have 2 concerns that I am trying to decide between. My parents are older and have health problems while I am living in America with them. But at the same time I want to leave America and make hijrah to a more Muslim country since there is no Islamic state right now. I dont know what to do, should I stay in America to look after my parents or should I make hijrah? Please let me know what some past and present scholars have said, JazakumAllahu kheirun.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
May Allaah reward you for your devotion to your religion and for being keen to be dutiful and kind to your parents. Please note that there are many Islamic countries where multitudes of Muslims live and openly practice the rites of Islam.
Therefore, if you can travel to a Muslim country and take your parents with you, this is certainly a better solution whereby you combine two good things (moving to a Muslim country and taking care of you parents). If you cannot take them with you, and your stay in America will not be harmful to your religion, and there is no one other than you to look after your parents, and you fear that your parents will be left uncared for, then you must stay with them, because in case there is no harm to your religion you are not obliged to emigrate to another country.
However, if your stay will definitely endanger your religion, then you must emigrate, because preserving one’s religion takes priority over looking after his/her parents, especially if one’s parents live in a country where they may receive some care from the state. For more details on the ruling of Hijrah, please refer to Fatwa 86405.
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