Title: Migration to Muslim Countries from Non-Muslim Countries Question: I am in need of a clarification regarding the migration of a Muslim to non-Muslim country. When I read the verse Is it a judgment of the time of (pagan) ignorance that they are seeking? Who is better than Allah for judgment to a people who have certainty (in their belief)? Qur'an (5: 50) It seems to mean that a Muslim should migrate to a place where Islam is implemented. The same implication is given in Ibn Kathir's commentary. Based on this verse, many scholars say that it is obligatory for a Muslim to migrate from a non-Muslim country to a Muslim country where Islam is established. Please clarify me on this point. Jazakallah khairin. Regards, Naina Answer: The referred verse does not require Muslims to migrate from all non-Muslim state to a Muslim state. The context in which the verse occurs is that some of the Jews of Medina would go to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) for the settlement of their disputes only if they were sure to be exonerated. Otherwise they would turn to their own tribal courts where the influential could get the desired decisions. Though the verse is addressed to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and the believers, the pronoun 'they' refers to the People of the Book mentioned in the previous verses. The Holy Qur'an condemned this action and exhorts Muslims upon deciding their matters according to the guidance contained in the Book of God and not to abandon it for the legal codes of the days of ignorance. Thus, the verse obviously requires those who are living under Islamic rule to abide by the rulings of the Qur'an have no bearing on those who live in a non-Muslim state. However, the obligation of migration has been dealt with in the Holy Qur'an separately. We are obligated to leave the land where, because of religious persecution or restriction on performance of religious rites and rituals, it is not possible for us to discharge our basic religious obligations 1 . Al-Nisaa 4: 97 reads: Lo! as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves, (the angels) will ask: In what were you engaged? They will say: We were oppressed in the land. (The angels) will say: Was not Allah's earth spacious that ye could have migrated therein? As for such, their habitation will be hell, an evil journey's end. This severe admonition is for those who, while being able to migrate to a safe place, prefer to remain in such circumstances. The Almighty says that their professed belief will not be entertained. The following verses (98, 99), however, clearly tell us that those who, even when faced the dire persecutions, cannot migrate and are compelled to live under such pressing conditions will not be held accountable. Except the feeble among men, and the women, and the children, who are unable to devise a plan and are not shown a way. As for such, it may be that Allah will pardon them. Allah is ever Clement, Forgiving. I hope this helps. Tariq Mahmood Hashmi May 27, 2003 1 Also refer to one of our earlier responses titled "Residing in a non-Muslim Country", which may be accessed at: http://www.understanding-islam.org/related/text.asp?type=question&qid=642