Can Muslims live
among non-Muslims?
Under What Conditions?
Verily! As for
those whom the angels take (in death) While they are wronging
themselves (by staying among disbelievers). They (angels)say:
"In what (condition) were you? They replied: "We were
weak and oppressed on earth." They (angels) say : " Was
not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to emigrate
therein? " Such men will find their abode in Hell--what an
evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women,and
children --who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct
their way. For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive them,
and Allah is ever Oft-pardoning, Oft-Forgiving. He who emigrates
(from his home_ in the cause of Allah will find on earth many
dwelling places and plenty to live by. And whosoever leaves his
home as an emigrant unto Allah and his messenger and death
overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent on Allah. And
Allah is ever oft--Forgiving, Most Merciful.
These verses show that at the time of death people will offer as excuse for their sins that they were forced by the existing circumstances where they lived. But Allah does not accept this excuse. he says that his earth is spacious, and one can easily move to a place where it is easier to hold on to Islam. Of course, Allah makes an exception for those who are genuinely unable to migrate. He also promises those who migrate for the sake of Allah"will find many dwelling places and plenty to live by."
Now, it is already known to everyone that Muslims who live among non-Muslims find their faith and practice of Islam being eroded a bit at a time. Eventually, when Muslims take stock of their Islam they find that the quality of their Islam has reduced substantially over the time they lived among non-Muslims. This is because people are naturally affected and influenced by their environment. For example, if you visit a perfume shop, you will smell the pleasant fragrances even if you do not buy any. On the other hand, if you go near a furnace, even if you do not get burnt, you will definitely smell of smoke. It is true that some of us are able to resist outside influence-may Allah bless them-but these are few and far between. Can we really count ourselves among them?
Some Muslims live among non-Muslims for the purpose of propagating Islam. But how many are these? Nevertheless, for the sake of carrying out this duty, Muslims are allowed to live among non-Muslims for as much time as is deemed necessary. If you live among non-Muslims, this should be your main reason. Even if you did not have this intention at the time of your arrival, you could still make it your purpose now. Make this new intention and act according to it.
However, this should not be done at the expenses of your Islam or the Islam of your family. Although it is necessary to spread Islam, it is even more necessary to maintain Islam in yourself and your family.
First
Priority: Save yourself and your family
O You Who Believe! Save yourselves and your families from a
fire.....(Qur'an 66:6)
This is
very least one could do. If living among non-Muslims harms your
Islam and the Islam of your family, then your first priority
should be to escape this harm.
Some Muslims had to flee their own countries because of one
hardship or another, and they now reside among non-Muslims. Now
they naturally wonder whether they are doing the right thing
living among non-Muslims. The answer to this is easy to
determine. Is it not true that the danger of losing one's Islam
is much greater than any other hardship or risk-even death? And
is it not true that there are many places on Allah's earth where
one's Islam will be much safer? The choice can still be made
while the breath of life remains.
But Where Can We Go?
We are commanded to migrate, but we are not told specifically where to go. It is left to us to find out where conditions are more conducive to Islam. This is not too difficult. Don't we have the ability, given to us by Allah, to always seek out new opportunities? Better job? Higher pay? Bigger houses? Could we not use this same God-given ability to find new opportunities to practice Islam?
We are also not told how far we must travel in this migration, or that we must go to another country. This leaves scope for Muslims to easily carry out this command of Allah, and is a good reminder of the practical applicabilties of Islam. Muslims can, therefore, form new communities without going very far. One way of doing this would be for Muslims to live close to existing Masajid and Islamic institutions.
If enough Muslims firmly decide to do this, very soon the community around the mosque will comprise of an overwhelming Muslim majority. When this occurs, the Muslims can easily run their communities under Islamic principles, and implement Islam in every aspect of life. The neighborhood schools, too, will then be at the disposal of the Muslims to be run on Islamic principles and at government expenses. Even the churches will soon be put up for sale and made available for Masaajid!
Another way would be for Muslims to form smaller towns having majority Muslim population. This would provide an easily distinct Islamic society right from it's inception. But are we ready to go out and do this??????? Other people have already done this, eg. Chinese, Sikh, etc.
To accomplish either of these, Muslims must b willing to sacrifice a little to please Allah. We must be prepared to spend a little to gain much. The inconvenience and expense of moving is an investment in the life hereafter a necessary and very profitable investment.
Regardless which method we choose, however, we should always remember our first priority: to protect the Islam of our households. If this cannot be done, we must run. When we notice that we continually compromise the religion of Allah because of where we live; when we notice that our children do not listen to us, but prefer the lifestyle of non-Muslims; it is pointless to wait around for new communities to form. We must under such circumstance, move fast to existing communities where we will be comparatively safer.
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