Ruling on residing in a land of disbelievers for the purpose of calling to Allah
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His Eminence the Shaykh: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I am innocent of every Muslim who resides among the mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah).” Today, we find hundreds of thousands of Muslims residing among the mushrikin. Some benefactors have gone and built Islamic institutions there to teach the children of Muslims first, and to call to Allah second. So, if a teacher is asked to go and reside there to teach or to call to Allah, is it permissible for him to accept?
Residing among the mushrikin is undoubtedly a harm, and a person exposes himself to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and evil. However, if residing there brings a greater benefit, such as going there to call people to the religion of Allah or to teach the children of Muslims the correct 'aqidah (creed), then there is nothing wrong with it; because the maslahah (public benefit) here is greater than the expected mafsadah (harm). It is also possible to interpret the hadith “I am innocent of every Muslim who resides among the mushrikin” as referring to one who is unable to manifest his religion. As for one who is able to manifest his religion, he does not fall under the hadith. But it is better to take the hadith in its general sense. So, if his residence is more beneficial for Islam and Muslims, there is no blame on him.
Residing among the mushrikin is undoubtedly a harm, and a person exposes himself to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and evil. However, if residing there brings a greater benefit, such as going there to call people to the religion of Allah or to teach the children of Muslims the correct 'aqidah (creed), then there is nothing wrong with it; because the maslahah (public benefit) here is greater than the expected mafsadah (harm). It is also possible to interpret the hadith “I am innocent of every Muslim who resides among the mushrikin” as referring to one who is unable to manifest his religion. As for one who is able to manifest his religion, he does not fall under the hadith. But it is better to take the hadith in its general sense. So, if his residence is more beneficial for Islam and Muslims, there is no blame on him.