The Ruling on Taking American Citizenship and Entering Churches

Question:
This questioner asks: What is the ruling on taking American citizenship, changing one's name, and entering churches and listening to what is said in them?

Answer:
All of this is not permissible, because taking American, English, or German citizenship is a means to doing everything they command, their customs, and all their traditions, and it is a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah), so it is not permissible to take it. As for residing there for a pressing need or dire necessity, if the necessity calls for it, the matter is easier, although it is not permissible to reside among the mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah) except for a cause of dire necessity, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said , so residing among them is not necessary except out of dire necessity. One must be cautious, because residing among them is one of the causes of shirk and fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). There is no power or strength except with Allah.
And so it is with entering churches, except for a legitimate Shari'ah interest, such as calling them to Allah, or knowing what they are upon so that one is on clear evidence in calling them to Allah, not to be pleased with their actions, and not to participate in their deeds. If one enters it for a Shari'ah matter, there is nothing wrong with it, or for calling to Allah the Exalted and Majestic. If one enters it to do their deeds, or to sit with them and be at ease with them, and there is no Shari'ah purpose, it is not permissible. As for a Shari'ah purpose, to know their conditions and know their deeds in the churches so that one is on clear evidence of them in order to call them to Allah for a legitimate Shari'ah interest. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.