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Migrating to a non-Muslim country to get its citizenship

Question

Salam Alaykum, I am a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon and so I hold a travel document for Palestinian refugees. In Lebanon, because we are Palestinians we are not given the right to buy and register property like houses or shops or land. If we die, then our children are not allowed to take our. We are also not allowed to work or register for any kind of health or any insurance. Outside Lebanon, unfortunately we are also not allowed to enter any Arab country for work except the United Arab Emirates (Thanks to its good rulers). I am currently staying and working in UAE and El Hamdollah I am doing good. However I have a chance to immigrate to Australia and get its citizenship. I don’t plan to live their but my only intention is to get its citizenship and come back and live in the Arab world. It will allow me to travel and own one of the most important things in life which is a HOUSE. Is it halal for me to immigrate to Australia or not? Thank you

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 ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible for a Muslim to get the citizenship of a country other than a Muslim country as long as there is no dire necessity or need, because eventually this leads to accepting their rules and the falsehood which they are upon. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 86405.

In addition to this, getting the citizenship of those countries leads a person to residing in it, either sooner or later, and there are many disadvantages on one's religion and morals in this; for more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 82552.

It appears, Allaah Knows best, that you are not in a case of necessity which allows you to have this citizenship, and you are now rejoicing the blessings in your religion and worldly affairs; being safe and secure [in your religious and worldly matters] has no rival.

Therefore, we advise you to be patient and fear Allaah, perhaps Allaah will make a way out to your difficulties soon. Allaah Says (what means): {And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.}[Quran 5:2-3]. Allaah also Says (what means): {Indeed, he who fears Allaah and is patient, then indeed, Allaah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.}[Quran 12:90].

Allaah Knows best.

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