What is the ruling on traveling to Muslim countries for leisure?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Regarding a topic outside the scope of this subject, what is the ruling on traveling to Islamic countries for a break and leisure, such as to Syria? I am currently in Saudi Arabia. What is the ruling in the Shari'ah if I travel to Syria?
The Shaykh : If you are traveling to Syria for leisure, as you said, and not for leisure—God forbid—to do there what you cannot do in your own country, then it is permissible without a doubt.
The questioner : Pardon me, Shaykh, despite the prevalence of more evil there than in Saudi Arabia?
The Shaykh : Yes, yes; because you will not attend the places associated with evil. Evil exists in Saudi Arabia as well. If you enter some markets, you will find women mixing with men, and you will find beautiful blonde American women, and so on. This is a matter from which no country is safe. However, actions are by intentions. If you intend, as I told you, leisure, there is no obstacle. Unless you are an unmarried young man and you fear for yourself the trial of tabarruj (display of adornment) and nudity, which is more prevalent there than with you. In that case, every question has an answer.
The questioner : Very well, Shaykh. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : May Allah preserve you.
The questioner : Pray for us. May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : I wish you success.
The questioner : Peace be upon you and mercy.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
The Shaykh : If you are traveling to Syria for leisure, as you said, and not for leisure—God forbid—to do there what you cannot do in your own country, then it is permissible without a doubt.
The questioner : Pardon me, Shaykh, despite the prevalence of more evil there than in Saudi Arabia?
The Shaykh : Yes, yes; because you will not attend the places associated with evil. Evil exists in Saudi Arabia as well. If you enter some markets, you will find women mixing with men, and you will find beautiful blonde American women, and so on. This is a matter from which no country is safe. However, actions are by intentions. If you intend, as I told you, leisure, there is no obstacle. Unless you are an unmarried young man and you fear for yourself the trial of tabarruj (display of adornment) and nudity, which is more prevalent there than with you. In that case, every question has an answer.
The questioner : Very well, Shaykh. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : May Allah preserve you.
The questioner : Pray for us. May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : I wish you success.
The questioner : Peace be upon you and mercy.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.