It is Forbidden for Muslims to Live in the West

By br. David Livingstone

Allah will not answer someone’s prayer if his food is Harram, his clothing is Harram, and his means of livelihood are Harram. How much worse is it if the ground upon which he walks is Harram, the air he breathes, and the country he lives in is Harram? Indeed, the Prophet (saw) said: “I absolve myself of any Muslim who dwells among the pathways of the Mushrikeen .” It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, why?” He said: “They should not see one another’s fires [house-lights].” ( Sahih, narrated by Abu Daoud and Nisa’ee).

Although it is often acknowledged by those who are currently considered among the leading scholars of this Ummah that it is forbidden for Muslims to live in the West, several exceptions are usually offered, namely, that one is permitted to travel or reside in the West if it is with the intent of acquiring knowledge that is beneficial to the Muslims, or to preach Islam to the non-Muslims.

Curiously though, for the 1300 years of Islam before our time, the scholars of Islam had been in general agreement that it is forbidden to venture to non-Muslim lands, at all. Therefore, Muslims had not been known to travel to non-Muslim lands, except for very few exceptions, such as diplomatic missions on behalf of the Khalifah.

Regrettably, regardless of whatever excuses they offer, Muslims have come to the West to partake of a civilization for which they have become in awe, because of its apparent technology, wealth and worldly power.
However, Allah has said in the Qur’an:

“Let not then their property and their children excite your admiration; Allah only wishes to chastise them with these in this world's life and (that) their souls may depart while they are unbelievers.”

In reality, what brings the Muslims to the West is a love of Dunia, where it is most attractive. This is the very problem that is now contributing to the pathetic state of affairs that now beleaguers the Muslims.
Describing the colonization of the Muslim lands, the Prophet of Allah, may peace and blessings be upon him, said:

The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their food. Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He replied: No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be froth and scum like that carried down by a torrent (of water), and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and cast wahn into your hearts. Someone asked: O Messenger of Allah, what is wahn . He replied: Love of the world and dislike of death. [An authentic Hadith recorded by Abu Dawood and Ahmad]

However, regardless of their excuses, Muslims are not allowed to live among non-Muslims. This is indisputable. There is one very pertinent exception though. As in the case of the Sahabah’s Hijrah to Ethiopia, it is permitted for the Muslims to seek refuge among the non-Muslims if the persecution in their own country becomes intolerable. Nevertheless, they may only do so if they intend to return to the land of the Muslims as soon as it becomes permissible, or if there is no such land, to work for it from there. Otherwise, Muslims must not live in the West.

As far as Dawa is concerned, this is not the responsibility of Muslims who are not indigenous to the West.
As Allah has revealed, He never sends a Messenger to a people who is not from among themselves.
There are two justifications for this. The first is that it acts as a sign, and second, because a native will understand the culture and mindset to such as extent as to be properly able to communicate with his community.
For this reason, converts to Islam should not venture to Muslim countries, for it is their responsibility, Allah having ordained they be reared in the West, to preach Islam in the most communicable manner to these countries.

Muslims deriving from other countries, on the other hand, are not qualified to preach Islam to the non-Muslims of the West. In fact, they may be committing more harm than good. In addition, the very hypocrisy of their citizenry in the West, it being apparent to Westerners, is causing the non-Muslims to become annoyed with Muslims and Islam.

Rather, to whom are they more qualified to preach than to their own people? Are their countries in order? Are they implementing Shariah? If not, their duty is to reform their own nations before they come here to criticize the state of the non-Muslims. Therefore, unless the persecution in their countries is so severe that it prevents them from returning, all Muslims deriving from former Muslim countries, like the Middle-East, Pakistan or South-East Asia, must return to these countries.

As for those for whom it is necessary to remain here, they must remember that they are not citizens of this country, but merely refugee claimants here temporarily. They must not make their hypocrisy evident by participating or sanctioning a system contrary to their values. They must keep in mind that they may remain here only with the intention of returning to their countries when that possibility makes itself available, and if they cannot, at least with the intention of working for the reform of their country from here .