Islam is not just a religion but a way of life. Therefore, should muslims move to an islamic country?

Question

You can't practise islam in a secular state. E.g. The day for prayers and rest is a friday, not sunday. You can't eat or handle pork products, you can't touch or be near dogsor pigs, women have to cover up, anti-apostasy laws have to be in place, sharia mandated punishments should be enforced, no interests on bank deposits, no interests can be charged for borrowing money, fasting during the holy month of ramadan, daily prayers have to be observe, etc, etc, etc.

With all these restrictions in place, how can a muslim reasonably practise his/her faith in a non-muslim country, where the laws and practices are so different?

Answer 1

Well, the United States isn't an Islamic nation, but I seem to be able to practice my religion without a problem. Why leave my native soil because some people don't like my religion? I'm not bothering anyone.

Peace.

Answer 2

There is living proof (over a million) across the globe that muslims can live in a "secular" state. They are doing so happily.

Remember Islam can be practiced everywhere. A lot of secular way of living has borrowed ideas from the Islamic way. eg here in South Africa we have the RDP (Reconstruction and development programme) that empowers the poor comunities - this idea has been around from the time of Muhammed. He practiced it.

SECULAR. Maths and sciences fall under the catergory of secular. Muslims were amongst the greatest mathemicians and scientist of the world - take a look at the origins of algebra for example.

Answer 3

Like you said, Islam is a way of life but this does not mean that muslims should only live in muslim countries.

Being true to Islam, and fulfilling your duties as a muslim, doesn't encompass undertaking any acts that breaks the law, so there is no reason why a muslim does not have the right to live in a western country, even when the laws are so different.

Islam is not limited to a country or a place. Living in a muslim country does not always guarantee to make you a better muslim. Islam lies within the heart of its followers, and the ability to practice it properly lies in one's eman - the strength of their faith in Allah, that is why living in a western country does not phase many muslims. If anything, speaking for myself, it only makes my eman stronger.

Allah knows best. Ameen.

Answer 4

Well, they can practice their religion freely in a secular country. And they can't force anyone else to practice their religion.

P.S. There are over 1 million Muslims in the U.S., so I'd say they are doing pretty well.

The other option:
They can go to a country with Shariah law, where the government decides what religion you practice. They hang female adulterers in public, imprison political offenders ,and chops off the hands of those who steal. They also control what you can wear, read, or write.

Seriously, it's your choice. Freedom or complete tyranny. But Shariah law is evil, not divine.

You can practice whatever religion you choose in a secular state. But if it's so extreme that it mandates oppressing others, I'd prefer that you stay away from the rest of us who want to live free.

I prefer freedom.

P.S. What country do you hail from? I'm sincerely curious.

Answer 5

.Yes Ali you are very right Islam is complete way of life. Islam also guides us how we can live in non-Islamic environment or state. What to observe and what to avoid. If we can practice all Fard (Obligations) then it is ok, if Fard cannot be done at all even with all efforts then Muslims are advised to migrate. But that does not means every thing will come in our plate without efforts, efforts should be done, and even then cannot perform then allowed to migrate.

But before migration you have right to fight for your just rights legally.
I am also a citizen of Non Muslim state and I do not see any reason to migrate so far Alhamdulillah. Yes we have to do some efforts, and propagate our rights and requirements.

In Non Muslim environment we have one more advantage that is room for Daawa. Daawa is one of the basic duties of every Muslim. Inviting people towards truth. Try to clear misunderstanding about Islam and Muslims from Non Muslims.

No one restrict you to fast, no one can stop you to pray in your break time, no one can push you to take interest from banks, if you take give to charity, do not put in your pocket.

Muslims are taught to live in every environment no excuses

Answer 6

I'm sorry but couldnt help feeling sorry for your shallow thinking. Muslims all over the world have been observing and practicing Islamic way of life without big problems. You see, Islam made it very clear of what do's and dont's which making it very convenient for Muslim to follow. So we pray on Friday, it takes only half an hour(the most, if not less). Arent there anything else to eat, except pork? And why is it so important to touch dogs/pigs; are they sacred? Obviously you dont know, let alone understand about Islamic banking (I dont think it is appropriate to stipulate everything here - logon to various websites). Shariah law is to protect everybody's rights! Others may see it as restrictions, but Muslim find it as a safety measure for its followers. Just briefly, let me point this down for you:
1. Prayer is good for exercise (some people are REALLY VERY busy, they cannot spare time for workout!).
2. Please do some research on pork and pork products (what are in it? You'll be amazed of what you will find!).
3. Do another research on dogs' saliva (what is in it ?????)
4. Islamic banking (logon to websites - learn about it)
5. Shariah law - lots of reference on this.
Because Islam is a way of life, it made it very clear for Muslim to strive hard to "conquer" the world thru knowledge, not combat. That is why we find Muslim all over the world because we seek knowledge at the very authentic origin, be it east or west, north ar south of this universe.
I hope this helps you to start finding facts about Islam, and be tactful with what we have to say about something (Islam and Muslim).

Answer 7

You should already be aware that in times like these Islam is very flexible. If there are no mosques where you live, pray at home. In Ramadan you can fast regardless of what others are doing. For Friday prayer, when I was in Ireland, I had to travel for over 40km to reach the mosque, although it is clear that you don't have to if you can't.

Living in a non-Islamic nation is not hard at all, on the contrary, it strengthens Muslims faith as they see how the people around them are doing sinful things, and all they can say is "Alhamdullilah".

Answer 8

the "best answer" above is actually the worst answer to this question. it is full of distortions of reality. firstly, it is not true that muslims hate western countries. in fact, as ramadan said in a speech, muslims like the west, although they do not like the fact that they like the west. because muslims are aware of certain negative aspects of the west, mainly moral issues. nevertheless, there is much propaganda in the global popular culture and media which make muslims believe that the west is some kind of paradise. most of them, only learn about the real west, when they arrive and spend a few years there. some of them return with feelings of despair. there are many more things to say on this issue but i think this is enough to explain the contradiction.

Answer 9

ISLAMIC CONCEPT OF LIFE

The chief characteristic of the Islamic Concept of Life is that it does not admit a conflict, nay, not even a significant separation between life-spiritual and life-mundane. It does not confine itself merely in purifying the spiritual and the moral life of man in the limited sense of the word. Its domain extends to the entire gamut of life. It wants to mould individual life as well as the social order in healthy patterns, so that the Kingdom of God may really be established on the earth and so that peace, contentment and well-being may fill the world as waters fill the oceans. The Islamic Way of Life is based on this unique approach to life and a peculiar concept of man's place in the Universe. That is why it is necessary that before we proceed to discuss the moral, social, political and economic systems of Islam, we should have a clear idea of the Islamic Concept of Life.

There are certain basic postulates which should be understood and appreciated at the very outset. These postulates are as follows:
http://www.islamawareness.net/Way/islamicway.html

Answer 10

look at britain it has a large muslim population , and has had to make lots of exceptions for its people , the constitutions of many countries say that the nation will provide for its people no matter what there colour, religion,etc is so the country should change not the people.