Traveling to the Lands of the Disbelievers and the Authenticity of the Hadith of Disavowal

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, we are taking calls and we start with Abdul Malik from Jeddah, go ahead, Abdul Malik. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, what is the ruling, Honorable Shaykh, on traveling to the lands of the disbelievers? And is the hadith established in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said This is the first question. Okay, the Shaykh will answer it.

Answer:
Traveling to the lands of the disbelievers is not permissible except in cases such as traveling for the da'wah (calling others to Islam) to Allah, if one has the qualification to call to Allah; such as traveling for medical treatment; such as traveling to seek information, to seek knowledge that is not found except with them, such as medical knowledge, knowledge of inventions, and industries. This is permissible to the extent of need, while holding fast to one's religion and displaying one's religion until one returns to his own land. As for traveling for the sake of recreation or tourism, it is not permissible because it causes harm to the person in his religion, and indeed it causes him harm in his self and in his worldly life, so there is no good in it. And the hadith is authentic: "I am disavowed by any Muslim who lives among the disbelievers" if he is not among those for whom a dispensation has been granted in that matter. Yes. Yes.