What is the ruling on traveling to Arab countries for tourism, given that the traveler commits forbidden acts?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. Many people, on the occasion of this summer vacation, travel to Arab countries for the purpose of tourism, along with their families. What is the ruling on such travel, considering that they mix with many major sins and some transgressions, such as songs, unlawful sexual intercourse, and intoxicants? Some countries are argued to be very close. Considering that these wrongs exist...?
The Shaykh : The one who travels to countries, whether Arab or non-Arab, with the intention of committing what is forbidden, is undoubtedly a sinner against Allah from the moment he leaves his home until he returns to it.
And most of the scholars of knowledge have said: In this case, if he travels for this purpose, he does not avail himself of the dispensations of travel. He does not shorten the prayer, he does not combine prayers, and he does not wipe over his leather socks for three days, because he is a sinner by his travel, and disobedience is incompatible with the dispensation.
As for if it is for a purpose other than this, but he will see and hear of it, a person may hesitate regarding the prohibition of the travel. However, we say: It is not perfection of intellect, perfection of planning, or perfection of conduct to go to these countries and spend large, exorbitant amounts of money, when a tenth of that would suffice if he traveled to the two Holy Sanctuaries, Makkah and al-Madinah, or to the summer resorts of these lands, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Then, it is the general rule that he will not be free from sitting with people who practice what is forbidden, whether through songs, smoking, or otherwise. Then, we hear that in some countries there is near-nudeness regarding the dress of women, and this affects the nature of the women who witness this. So my advice to every believer in Allah and the Last Day is not to travel to such countries where he does not increase in faith or mindfulness of Allah, and where he spends large, exorbitant amounts of money.
The Shaykh : The one who travels to countries, whether Arab or non-Arab, with the intention of committing what is forbidden, is undoubtedly a sinner against Allah from the moment he leaves his home until he returns to it.
And most of the scholars of knowledge have said: In this case, if he travels for this purpose, he does not avail himself of the dispensations of travel. He does not shorten the prayer, he does not combine prayers, and he does not wipe over his leather socks for three days, because he is a sinner by his travel, and disobedience is incompatible with the dispensation.
As for if it is for a purpose other than this, but he will see and hear of it, a person may hesitate regarding the prohibition of the travel. However, we say: It is not perfection of intellect, perfection of planning, or perfection of conduct to go to these countries and spend large, exorbitant amounts of money, when a tenth of that would suffice if he traveled to the two Holy Sanctuaries, Makkah and al-Madinah, or to the summer resorts of these lands, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Then, it is the general rule that he will not be free from sitting with people who practice what is forbidden, whether through songs, smoking, or otherwise. Then, we hear that in some countries there is near-nudeness regarding the dress of women, and this affects the nature of the women who witness this. So my advice to every believer in Allah and the Last Day is not to travel to such countries where he does not increase in faith or mindfulness of Allah, and where he spends large, exorbitant amounts of money.