Is Migrating to a Non-Muslim Country Justified? Balancing Necessity and Islamic Principles

When Necessity Overrules Prohibition: A Deep Dive into Islamic Jurisprudence

Considerations:

● NEGATIVES:

1. Travelling alone without a maḥram

2. Relocating to a non-Muslim land

3. Living alone in a non-Muslim land for almost 2 years

4. May/may not find a job 

5. Working in Canada (free-mixing? Islamic dress?) 

6. After finding a job, the wage may/ may not be enough to support family back home

● POSITIVES:

1. Providing for family back home

The principle most applicable here is:

الضرورات تبيح المحظورات

Necessities overrule Prohibitions

Meaning: If a necessity arises, prohibitions are overlooked, and so a person is allowed to engage in that matter. 

For example: A man runs out of food while travelling in the middle of the desert. He is alone, completely lost, has no means of communication, and he fears he may die due to severe hunger. Suddenly, he finds a carcass. Is he allowed to eat it to save his life? The above principle comes into action, and the prohibition is overruled by the necessity. 

• Necessity = fear of death 

• Prohibition = eating a carcass 

Note: this is the same principle that some "scholars" MISAPPLY to make Halaal that which is originally Haraam in the Shari’ah.

Just as Imām Ash-Shāṭibī raḥimahullāh said:

(وربما استجاز هذا بعضهم في مواطن يدعى فيها الضرورة وإلجاء الحاجة، بناء على أن الضرورات تبيح المحظورات؛ فيأخذ عند ذلك بما يوافق الغرض، حتى إذا نزلت المسألة على حالة لا ضرورة فيها، ولا حاجة إلى الأخذ بالقول المرجوح، أو الخارج عن المذهب، أخذ فيها بالقول المذهبي أو الراجح في المذهب؛ فهذا أيضا من ذلك الطراز المتقدم؛ فإن حاصله الأخذ بما يوافق الهوى الحاضر، ومحال الضرورات معلومة من الشريعة). "الموافقات" (٥/ ٩٩). 

For example:

1. Permitting free-mixed education 

2. Permitting student loans

3. Permitting mortgages

4. Permitting Political parties and voting 

etc. 

Thus, we must be very careful regarding these affairs 

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