Living in country without learning its language
Fatwa No: 358432

Question

Is it haram to live in a country permanently and not learn the language bearing in mind that it makes life difficult as well as the life of your children as you cannot do basic acts like making an appointment. For example, living in Malaysia and not being able to speak any Malaysian at all. Are people who do this sinful?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is not sinful to live in a country without learning the language of its people. However, learning that language is a good and important thing, especially if one is going to live there for a long time or permanently, in order to find it easier to fulfill one's needs and handle life affairs.

Allah knows best.

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