The Hadeeth: ‘I am free from any Muslim who resides among the polytheists’
Fatwa No: 93927

Question

Alsalam Alaikaum warahamatu Allah wabarakatu my Question is really short, Im born in american and raised there, later on my dad planned on movin us to Egypt ( for business reasons).im now 18 and im doin online courses online to get my college degree. A friend sent me a hadeeth a while back sayin how Prophet muhammed (pbuh) will not be pleased ( im not sure of the word) with anyone who dies among the disbelievers. So im wondering Is it haram to live in america...i mean i do plan on goin back..Its sort of my home..i have my family and friends there.what if i get married and i want to raise my kids there..i mean there are alot of shieks and very religious people who live in the states..they must have come across this hadeeth. Did the Prophet mean that Dyin among the Disbelievers that were among them, or doin what they do. "being on their team" Theres disbelivers everywhere..even in islamic countries right? Please answer myQuestions thankyou Allah bless you Ameen! salams!!

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 is His slave and Messenger.

 

It might be that you are referring to the saying of the Prophet : "I am free from any Muslim who resides among the polytheists [non-Muslims]." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi] This narration is authentic and the scholars understood it to apply on those who are not safe about their religion because the ruling of residing in a non-Muslim country differs according to the circumstances of different people and countries. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 86405.

The ruling on you and your family who reside in that country should be based on these details, but there is no doubt that if a Muslim can live in a Muslim country where Islam is predominant then this is better. There is no comparison between a Muslim country where some non-Muslims live and a non-Muslim country where some Muslims live.

Hence, it is more appropriate to seek the help of your trustworthy relatives or female friends so that they would help you find a pious husband with whom you can live in your Muslim country or any other Muslim country where you may find a righteous environment and where your children will be raised upon Islamic creed and good moral principles.

Allaah Knows best.

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