The ruling of making Hijrah from Non-Muslim countries while having a Markaz
Question:
[This question is from a set of questions asked from India].
Is it obligatory to make ‘hijrah’ from India whilst we have a Markaz (an institute of religious education)?
Answer:
(The ruling of making ‘hijrah’ from) India is the same as any other (non-muslim country). It is not a muslim country, it is a non-muslim country.
Therefore the person that cannot establish their religion is obliged to make ‘hijrah’, if they are able and the person that is able to establish their religion is recommended to make ‘hijrah’ and not obliged.
The person that cannot establish their religion.
{ إِلَّا ٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا }
Except for the oppressed among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan nor are they directed to a way.
[An-Nisa’ 4:98]
Based upon this distinction made by the scholars that you have heard, India is just like any other country. Whoever is able to establish their religion (in India) is not obligated to leave, rather it is recommended for them to leave. Whoever is unable to establish their religion and able to leave is obligated to leave when he finds a good country easier (to establish their religion in).
There is no (sin) upon the person that is unable to leave, even if he fears for his religion but is unable (to leave) – what else can he do?
If they (the disbelievers) see that it (the markaz) has been established based upon the religion they will close these places down. This is known. They will close down these ‘maraakiz’.
So you may say ‘we have a markaz’, however, if they see it has been established and the muslim youth are engaged with this place that has been opened; they will immediately shut it down just like they shut down the place of our brother Shaykh Nawas (may Allah preserve him) was in.
They shut it down when they saw that people had been attracted from here and there, they shut it down immediately.
When they see us in a state of weakness they implement democracy; only when they see us to be weak do they apply democracy. As for when they see us to be in a position of strength and (after) we have spread some goodness; there is no democracy.
(Rather they say:) ‘These (people) are a threat to us!’ ‘They are ISIS!’. This label comes immediately but we were never previously labelled ISIS. However, as soon as the ‘da’wah’ becomes vibrant (they say) ‘ISIS’ in order to preserve the democracy they claim to be freedom of the people. It is because of this that they bring this label, in order for the people to be removed.
Answered by: Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al-Hadhramy – may Allah preserve him
Source: https://t.me/abubilalhami/2712
Answered on: 21, Safar 1441 (19th October 2019)
Translated by: Abu Sufian Saami ibn Daniel Al-Ghaani