The Ruling on Traveling to Lands of Disbelief

Question:
And the Shaykh, may Allah bring him near, asks: Should one travel to lands of disbelief for the sake of trade and the harshness of what has befallen him of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation)? What is the ruling on this, and is it permissible to turn to them with a call to the Muslims in their lands?

Answer:
Traveling to the lands of disbelievers is forbidden (haram) except for one who is capable of manifesting his religion. Manifesting the religion means calling to Allah, declaring the falsity of what they are upon, and refuting the disbelief and shirk (associating partners with Allah) they are upon. This is manifesting the religion. It is not manifesting the religion as some people understand it, that they leave you to pray and fast and do not object to you. That is not manifesting the religion. Manifesting the religion is to refute disbelief and shirk, to call to Allah, and to clarify the falsity of the religion of the polytheists. This is manifesting the religion. So, whoever is capable of this, it is permissible for him to travel, because the benefit in this is greater, provided he stays away from places of fitnah and danger. He does not mix with the disbelievers in their gatherings and assemblies unless he intends to call them to Allah.
As for mixing with them, sitting with them, attending their parties, and remaining silent while they display disbelief, shirk, drinking intoxicants, the mixing of men and women, and nudity, this is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allah and the Last Day. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Because intoxicants are a clear evil, so if he remains silent, he commits a sin by doing so.