Taking pictures of women is not permitted at all, because of the temptation and evil that results from that, in addition to the fact that taking pictures is forbidden in and of itself. So it is not permissible to take pictures of women when traveling or for any other reason. The Council of Senior Scholars has issued a statement that this is haraam. With regard to traveling to kaafir countries or permissive countries, this is not permitted because it involves temptation and evil, and mixing with the kaafirs, and seeing evil things and being affected by that. It is only permitted within strict guidelines which have been set out by the scholars, namely:
1- For necessary medical treatment which cannot be found in any Muslim country
2- For business purposes which require travel
3- To learn knowledge which the Muslims need and which cannot be found in their countries
4- To call people to Allaah and spread Islam
In each of these cases, there is the condition that the traveler should be able to practise his religion openly and show pride in his beliefs, and keep away from places of temptation.
With regard to traveling solely for the purpose of a pleasure trip, or for a break, this is emphatically forbidden. I ask Allaah to make me, you and all the Muslims adhere to that which He loves and which pleases Him. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Halimah bint David
“In each of these cases, there is the condition that the traveler should be able to practise his religion openly and show pride in his beliefs, and keep away from places of temptation.”
In other words go to places that respect people’s freedom to practice whatever spiritual beliefs they have. Too bad many Muslim-majority nations don’t have the decency to allow minority religions the same privilege. Seems rather hypocritical to want rights in foreign lands that you won’t give in your own countries.
Asalamu Alaikum
This is just the fatwa I was looking for! Last night my husband and I were reminiscing about going back to America and showing each other the places we used to visit and things we used to do since we both were in St. Louis, Missouri but our paths never crossed then. Then I remembered the fatwa regarding traveling to non-Muslim countries with four conditions. Except I couldn’t recall one of them and that was business purposes. Not even for keeping ties of the womb and visiting kin eh? So many ways to do that nowadays though (email, letters, phone, etc.) so its not really an excuse to travel to dar al-kufar and visit family.
I posted this on the travel page on my blog and also will send it to my Women Learning Islam group insha’Allah.
Jazaki’Allahu khair,
Tara Umm Omar
This is not completely true, nor accurate. It sounds as though this is based on opinion. Travel is only restricted from countries that prohibit a Muslim from prayer and practicing Islam. To call a country an “Islamic Country” is based again on ones opinion. If a single Muslim in a country of 500,000 people of different religions can pray to Allah, and practice all rights of a Muslim, then he/she is in an Islamic Country.
It is agreed that one should not give in to temptations or conduct themselves as the kaafir do while in different countries. One should follow the teachings of the Quran and do what pleases Allah no matter where they travel or reside.
Bismillaah (In The Name Of Allaah)
@ Tara
Wa’Alaykaam Assalaam Warahamatuhlahi Wabarakatuh!
Maasha Allaah! May Allaaah reward you for fearing Him (swt) as He (swt) deserves. There is a whole hijrah & traveling section now at Islam QA. There will be much more evidences and rulings to learn about. It does seem harsh to not be able to visit family in non-Muslim countries..Allaah Knows Best & has given us this guidance to lead us to His straight path and protect us from harms. Alhamdulillaah ya rabbial alamiin.
@ Susan
Welcome to my blog once again. Thank you for taking the time to voice your opinion (though incorrect & hurtful it is).
Your comment brought up a few issues that I will try and teach you about.
Islam is a complete systematic way of life and constitution and with this is mind, it is not from wisdom, intellect, integrity and justice on the part of the Da’ee or the student of knowledge to single out one component or portion of this complete system and debate it whether with the Muslims, who lack understanding of the fundamental principles of the religion, or with the non- Muslims those who lack understanding of the religion all together due to the distorted perceptions which they hold about it I will give you an example: consider the fact that a car moves due to all of the components which make up an automobile, but if you were to take a single part from the engine then you would say that it is a worthless piece which has no benefit or value due to the fact that it is a separate entity by itself. But if you were to take that same piece and put it along with the other components which make the car then it plays an important role like the rest of the parts and you will understand that the car cannot function with out it nor is the piece of any worth without the car!!
Muslims are required to treat kindly all people and all religions. Muslims are asked to call upon the People of the Book for common terms, namely, to worship One God, and to work together for the solutions of the many problems found in society.
As Muslims we believe that it is permissible for a Muslim to treat kindly those non-Muslims who are not hostile, whether by offering financial help, feeding the hungry, giving them loans if needed or interceding with regard to permissible matters, or speaking kindly to them or returning their greetings, and so on.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity”
[Quraan al-Mumtahanah 60:8]
Christians and Jews lived peacefully with Muslims throughout centuries in the Middle East and other Asian and African countries. The second Caliph, Umar (RA), did not pray in the church in Jerusalem so as not to give the Muslims an excuse to take it over. Christians trusted the Muslims, and as such, the key of the Church in Jerusalem is still in the hands of Muslims to this day.
Jews fled from Spain during the Inquisition, and they were welcomed by the Muslims. They settled in the heart of the Islamic Caliphate. They enjoyed positions of power and authority.
Throughout the Muslim world (and in history), churches, synagogues and missionary schools are/were built within Muslim neighborhoods. These places were (and still are) protected by Muslims even during the contemporary crises that exists now in the Middle East.
Islam entered into the heart of an individual who was before, a wild savage and then all of the sudden he is gentle, subtle, caring and loving. He now loves his mother whereas before he used to hit her and disrespect her, but now he kisses her feet out of respect and reverence for her. And the fact that he used to be oppressive to his wife and everyday he would beat her and then take sexual pleasure in her and after two months of being with her he divorces her, puts her out and moves on to the next woman but now this same individual fears his Lord concerning her rights in Islam and is conscious of her feelings, he cries and is concerned about his wife and children. What was it that changed him? It was the religion of Islam!!
So look at Islam starting from its foundation, for the West is in need of proper representation of the religion because those who have personal agendas against the religion of Islam are strong , they are not little children. They are strong and organized, rather they are powerful countries, organizations and experienced individuals and groups who have personal and political agendas against the religion of Islam and they not going to be refuted by some small inexperienced student of knowledge who just graduated from the Arabic language program, or someone who considers himself to be a student but did not actually study the religion.
Thank you so much for your time!
Sincerely & Gratefully
Halimah bint David
Omar,
I have to disagree with you. An Islamic country is one where the population is overwhelmingly and predominantly Muslim. Its government rules with Islamic laws, however secular some may appear.
Tara Umm Omar
Halimah bint David,
I apologize for saying something hurtful the other night. I was in an ill-tempered mood and forgot my decency. Do not reply to others in anger… yikes!
I am sorry.
Susanne
Bismillaah (In The Name of Allaah)
@Susanne
Thank you so much for your apology, I sincerely appreciate it so very much.
We all reply rudely or irritatingly to someone at sometime. Few however, apologize for it.
Thank you so much for your time & apology! :D
Sincerely & Gratefully
Halimah bint David