Is it permissible for a researcher to travel to the lands of disbelief to complete his research, knowing that he is unable to complete it in Islamic lands?

The questioner : He is asking in a case where he believes it is obligatory for him to continue his medical studies. He is unable to complete his research in Jordan or in Saudi Arabia, because, for example, in Saudi Arabia, they require that one be a Saudi national or they place obstacles in his way. So he asks whether it is permissible for him in this case to complete his research in a country like America, especially since he has relatives there who are committed to their religion. May Allah reward you with good. Is this the rest of the question?

The Shaykh : Peace be upon you. I do not see, my brother, that he should go to America, the land of disbelief, open sinfulness, and lewdness, in order to complete the innovation or the invention of the medicine mentioned in the question, even if reaching this medicine were a certainty. And that is what I do not think is the case, because knowledge is based on experiments, and it may succeed or it may not. So even if success were certain, that would not be what permits him to mix with the mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah).

The questioner : How, my Shaykh?

The Shaykh : If the belief in the success of reaching this effective and beneficial medicine were certain, I do not see it as permissible for a Muslim to go to the lands of disbelief in order to achieve this medicine, because this settling in those lands is not permissible in the Shari'ah. And what you mentioned about him having family there: he is ordered to command his family to migrate from the lands of disbelief to the lands of Islam.

The questioner : O Shaykh.

The Shaykh: Is it clear?

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. It is clear, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : And beware of that.

The questioner : May Allah reward you.