Living among the disbelievers

A Muslim is obliged to live by Islam and implement the Sharee'ah wherever he is. He must also swear allegiance to none but Allah (SWT), His Messenger (SAW) and to the Ameer ul-Mu'mineen (leader of the Muslims). If there is no leader (or khaleefah) to whom one should swear allegiance (like in today's reality), it becomes mandatory to work collectively with other Muslims in order to eradicate shirk (disbelief, false deities, non-Islamic law, etc.) and implement the Sharee'ah.

Moreover, it is not permissible for a Muslim to live between the disbelievers unless he clearly distinguishes himself from them; maintains his Deen; rejects their customs, ideology and way of life; calls them to Islam; and fulfils all his other duties and ritual obligations. Jareer bin 'Abdillah (RA) reported that the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) said:

أنابريءٌمنكلِّمسلمٍيقيمبينأظهرالمشركين

“I am free from every Muslim that resides between the Mushrikeen (disbelievers).” (Sunan Abee Daawud, Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Fath al-Baari and others)

This ‘disassociation’ of the Prophet (SAW) is from Muslims who live between the Kuffaar (i.e. in daar ul-harb) and do not distinguish themselves from the disbelievers by fulfilling the obligation of inviting them to Islam (openly in public). Distinguishing oneself from the disbelievers can be accomplished in many ways. However, this must be primarily done by holding onto the Islamic values and adhering to the Sharee'ah (without any compromise).

If a person is unable to hold onto his Deen; reject shirk and kufr (such as interfaith, multiculturalism, integration, false deities, etc.); disassociate himself from the disbelievers (such as by not voting for them, participating in their political processes or joining their forces, etc.); and openly invite society to Islam; it becomes prohibited for him to live amongst them, and hijrah (migration) will consequently become obligatory upon him.

The only person who has the permit not to distinguish himself from the Kuffaar and publicly invite them to Islam is the mujaahid. However, one should not let the Shaytaan (devil) whisper to him and convince him that he is a mujaahid or he is preparing for jihad. Nowadays there are many so-called jihadis who do nothing but sit behind their computers all day, slander sincere Muslims, watch a few video clips and free-mix in "Islamic" forums. What is even worse is that they have the audacity to claim they are working hard in the cause of Allah and are serving the Muslim Ummah.

Either da'wah or hijrah

One of the characteristics of a munaafiq (hypocrite) is that he lives between the Kuffaar (in daar ul-harb) without to fight them or distinguish himself from them (by calling them to Islam). Furthermore, he also abandons hijrah when it becomes obligatory upon him to do so. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:

إِنَّالَّذِينَتَوَفَّاهُمُالْمَلائِكَةُظَالِمِيأَنْفُسِهِمْقَالُوافِيمَكُنْتُمْقَالُواكُنَّامُسْتَضْعَفِينَفِيالأرْضِقَالُواأَلَمْتَكُنْأَرْضُاللَّهِوَاسِعَةًفَتُهَاجِرُوافِيهَافَأُولَئِكَمَأْوَاهُمْجَهَنَّمُوَسَاءَتْمَصِيرًا

إِلاالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَمِنَالرِّجَالِوَالنِّسَاءِوَالْوِلْدَانِلايَسْتَطِيعُونَحِيلَةًوَلايَهْتَدُونَسَبِيلا

فَأُولَئِكَعَسَىاللَّهُأَنْيَعْفُوَعَنْهُمْوَكَانَاللَّهُعَفُوًّاغَفُورًا

“Verily! As for those whom the angels take [in death] while they are wronging themselves [as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them], they [angels] say [to them]: "In what [condition] were you?" They reply: "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.” (EMQ an-Nisaa', 4:97–99)

Ad-Dahhaak (RA) stated that this aayah (verse) was revealed about some hypocrites who did not join the Messenger of Allah (SAW) but remained in Makkah and went out with the idolaters for the Battle of Badr. They were killed among those (Mushrikeen) who were killed. Thus, this honourable aayah was revealed about those who reside among the idolaters, while able to perform hijrah and unable to practise their Deen. Such people will be committing injustice against themselves and fall into a prohibition according to the Consensus and also according to this aayah.

Moreover, in another aayah Allah (SWT) says:

فَمَالَكُمْفِيالْمُنَافِقِينَفِئَتَيْنِوَاللَّهُأَرْكَسَهُمْبِمَاكَسَبُواأَتُرِيدُونَأَنْتَهْدُوامَنْأَضَلَّاللَّهُوَمَنْيُضْلِلِاللَّهُفَلَنْتَجِدَلَهُسَبِيلا

وَدُّوالَوْتَكْفُرُونَكَمَاكَفَرُوافَتَكُونُونَسَوَاءًفَلاتَتَّخِذُوامِنْهُمْأَوْلِيَاءَحَتَّىيُهَاجِرُوافِيسَبِيلِاللَّهِفَإِنْتَوَلَّوْافَخُذُوهُمْوَاقْتُلُوهُمْحَيْثُوَجَدْتُمُوهُمْوَلاتَتَّخِذُوامِنْهُمْوَلِيًّاوَلانَصِيرًا

“Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites? Allah has cast them back [to disbelief] because of what they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made to go astray? And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never find for him any way [of guidance].

They wish that you reject [Imaan], as they have rejected [Imaan], and thus that you all become equal [like one another]. So take not awliyaa' [protectors or friends] from them, till they emigrate in the Way of Allah. But if they turn back [from Islam], take [hold] of them and kill them wherever you find them, and take neither awliyaa' [protectors or friends] nor helpers from them.” (EMQ an-Nisaa', 4:88–89)

Imaam Ahmad recorded that Zayd bin Thaabit (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) marched towards Uhud. However, some people went back to al-Madeenah, and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah divided into two groups concerning them, one saying they should be killed and the other objecting. Allah (SWT) then revealed: "Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites…"

Haatib bin Abee Balta'ah

يَاأَيُّهَاالَّذِينَآمَنُوالاتَتَّخِذُواعَدُوِّيوَعَدُوَّكُمْأَوْلِيَاءَتُلْقُونَإِلَيْهِمْبِالْمَوَدَّةِوَقَدْكَفَرُوابِمَاجَاءَكُمْمِنَالْحَقِّيُخْرِجُونَالرَّسُولَوَإِيَّاكُمْأَنْتُؤْمِنُوابِاللَّهِرَبِّكُمْإِنْكُنْتُمْخَرَجْتُمْجِهَادًافِيسَبِيلِيوَابْتِغَاءَمَرْضَاتِيتُسِرُّونَإِلَيْهِمْبِالْمَوَدَّةِوَأَنَاأَعْلَمُبِمَاأَخْفَيْتُمْوَمَاأَعْلَنْتُمْوَمَنْيَفْعَلْهُمِنْكُمْفَقَدْضَلَّسَوَاءَالسَّبِيلِ

“O you who believe! Take not my enemies and your enemies [i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.] as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth [i.e. Islamic Monotheism, the Qur'aan, and Muhammad], and have driven out the Messenger [SAW] and yourselves [from your homeland] because you believe in Allah your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, [then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, etc., as your friends]. You show friendship to them in secret, while I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you [Muslims] does that, then indeed he has gone [far] astray, [away] from the Straight Path.” (EMQ al-Mumtahanah, 60:1)

The situation of Haatib bin Abee Balta'ah is the reason behind the revelation of the beginning of this honourable Soorah. Haatib was among the Early Emigrants (Al-Muhajiroun) and participated in the Battle of Badr. Haatib had children and wealth in Makkah, but he was not from the tribe of Quraysh. Rather, he was an ally of 'Uthmaan. When the Messenger of Allah (SAW) decided to conquer Makkah, after its people broke the peace treaty between them, he ordered the Muslims to mobilize their forces to attack Makkah, and then supplicated, "O Allah! Keep our news concealed from them."

Haatib wrote a letter for the people of Makkah and sent it with a woman from the tribe of Quraysh, informing them of the Messenger's intent to attack them. He wanted them to be indebted to him (so that they would grant safety to his family in Makkah). Allah the Exalted conveyed this matter to His Messenger (SAW) because He accepted the Prophet's invocation (for Him to conceal the news of the attack). The Prophet sent someone after the woman and retrieved the letter.

This letter was addressed from Haatib bin Abee Balta'ah to some pagans of Makkah, telling them about what Allah's Messenger intended to do. Allah's Messenger (SAW) then said, "O Haatib! What is this?" Haatib replied, "O Allah's Messenger! Do not make a rash decision about me. I was a person not belonging to Quraysh, but I was an ally to them. All the Emigrants who were with you have kinsmen (in Makkah) who can protect their families. So I wanted to do them a favour, so they might protect my relatives, as I have no blood relation with them. I did not do this out of disbelief or to rebel from my religion, nor did I do it to choose disbelief after Islam."

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said to his Companions, "Regarding him (Haatib), he has told you the truth." 'Umar (RA) then exclaimed:

دعنييارسولاللهأضربعنقهذاالمنافق

“O Allah's Messenger! Allow me to strike the neck of this hypocrite [Kaafir]!”

The Prophet (SAW) responded, "But, he attended Badr. What can I tell you, perhaps Allah looked at those who attended Badr and said, 'O people of Badr, do what you like, for I have forgiven you.'" Allah (SWT) then revealed: "O you who believe! Take not my enemies and your enemies [i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.] as friends, showing affection towards them…"

We can learn from this incident that the Prophet (SAW) consented to the takfeer of 'Umar (RA) upon Haatib (RA), and had to wait for revelation from Allah in order to decide what to do with him. Furthermore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to give information to the Kuffaar even if it is to save one's family. Haatib (RA) was not punished however as he was saved by the wahy (revelation).

Conclusion


If certain Muslims in the West are going to continue to live between the Kuffaar and become engrossed with the dunyaa (such as by working excessive hours or wasting time spending years learning about the dunyaa in school, college or university), without to at least invite the disbelievers to Islam (publicly) and distinguish themselves from the non-Muslims, there is a great chance that they may become munaafiqeen. In order to avoid this they must either begin to engage in their Islamic responsibilities wherever they or make hijrah to a place where they are able to fulfil all their obligations.

Both da'wah and jihad are obligations upon Muslims; therefore, we should not be like those who are cursed by Almighty Allah (SWT) and follow some ahkaam (rules) but reject others. Allah Ta'aalaa says:

أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَبِبَعْضِالْكِتَابِوَتَكْفُرُونَبِبَعْضٍفَمَاجَزَاءُمَنْيَفْعَلُذَلِكَمِنْكُمْإِلاخِزْيٌفِيالْحَيَاةِالدُّنْيَاوَيَوْمَالْقِيَامَةِيُرَدُّونَإِلَىأَشَدِّالْعَذَابِوَمَااللَّهُبِغَافِلٍعَمَّاتَعْمَلُونَ

“Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.” (EMQ al-Baqarah, 2:85)

Furthermore, another condition for living between the Kuffaar is that one must support the jihad verbally and financially (if he is unable to do so physically). This is because the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

جاهدواالمشركينبأموالكموأنفسكموألسنتكم

“Fight the Mushrikeen by your wealth [financially], bodies [physically] and tongues [verbally].” (Sunan Abee Daawud, hadeeth no. 2504)