Leaving the wife and children, or the children only, to work in non-Islamic countries
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The third question of Fatwa No. ( 5512 )
Q3: A Muslim working in a country other than the lands of Islam, which may sometimes compel him to leave his wife and children in his homeland, and visiting them whenever the opportunity arises, or the husband and wife residing here, while leaving the children in the homeland with a male or female relative.
A3: The principle is that it is obligatory for a Muslim to reside in Islamic lands and earn a lawful livelihood through work there; to preserve his religion, to stay away from trials, to cooperate with Muslims, and to increase their numbers. If there are causes that compel him to live in the lands of disbelievers, he is granted a dispensation to live there and earn a living through work there, provided he is aware of his religion, is able to manifest it, is safe from trial in his religion, and his work is permissible by the Shari'ah. As for his absence from his wife or his children, if the wife consents to this and he does not fear the children being neglected due to the relative fulfilling what is religiously required in their upbringing, then there is no harm. Otherwise, it is obligatory for him to maintain the legal rights of his wife and to personally take charge of raising his children, even if this requires him to return to his country. Allah the Exalted said:[Adh-Dhariyat 51:58] And Allah the Exalted said: [At-Talaq 65:2-3]
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Q3: A Muslim working in a country other than the lands of Islam, which may sometimes compel him to leave his wife and children in his homeland, and visiting them whenever the opportunity arises, or the husband and wife residing here, while leaving the children in the homeland with a male or female relative.
A3: The principle is that it is obligatory for a Muslim to reside in Islamic lands and earn a lawful livelihood through work there; to preserve his religion, to stay away from trials, to cooperate with Muslims, and to increase their numbers. If there are causes that compel him to live in the lands of disbelievers, he is granted a dispensation to live there and earn a living through work there, provided he is aware of his religion, is able to manifest it, is safe from trial in his religion, and his work is permissible by the Shari'ah. As for his absence from his wife or his children, if the wife consents to this and he does not fear the children being neglected due to the relative fulfilling what is religiously required in their upbringing, then there is no harm. Otherwise, it is obligatory for him to maintain the legal rights of his wife and to personally take charge of raising his children, even if this requires him to return to his country. Allah the Exalted said:
Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُAnd whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (3) And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.
وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا (2) وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًاAnd success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.