Traveling to the Lands of Disbelief
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q: A questioner asks and says: May Allah reward you. It has been observed that in the recent period, many young people travel to the lands of disbelief, either for study or for other reasons, and some of them are new to Islam. Do you think they are in need of a management and a special body to follow up on them, guide them to the correct direction, and care for their affairs, such that this management is either linked to the General Presidency for Research, Ifta, and Guidance, or to the Islamic League?
A: There is no doubt that the travel of students carries a great danger, whether they are from the sons of Muslims from the start or from new Muslims. There is no doubt that this is a serious matter that requires attention and caution regarding its dire consequences. We have written and warned more than once about traveling abroad and explained the dangers of that. If travel is necessary, let them be from the older ones who have acquired much knowledge and have insight into their religion, and let there be with them someone who observes them, monitors them, and watches their behavior so that they do not go astray in ways that harm them. This must be attended to and followed up until the matter is completed, because the danger is great.
And if a student of knowledge goes from the secondary or intermediate level, or one who is in a similar position, or during higher studies, then the danger is great in such a case. It is necessary that there be specialization within the country that suffices, eliminating the need to travel abroad. If travel abroad is necessary, let it be by people who are selected, in whom excellence, knowledge, soundness of mind, and uprightness in religion are known. There must be someone who supervises them, follows their steps, and cares for them until they return, on the condition that this is for a specialization that is necessary and for which there is no equivalent within the country that suffices.
And we ask Allah to grant the rulers success in all good and to assist the people of knowledge in fulfilling their obligation.
A: There is no doubt that the travel of students carries a great danger, whether they are from the sons of Muslims from the start or from new Muslims. There is no doubt that this is a serious matter that requires attention and caution regarding its dire consequences. We have written and warned more than once about traveling abroad and explained the dangers of that. If travel is necessary, let them be from the older ones who have acquired much knowledge and have insight into their religion, and let there be with them someone who observes them, monitors them, and watches their behavior so that they do not go astray in ways that harm them. This must be attended to and followed up until the matter is completed, because the danger is great.
And if a student of knowledge goes from the secondary or intermediate level, or one who is in a similar position, or during higher studies, then the danger is great in such a case. It is necessary that there be specialization within the country that suffices, eliminating the need to travel abroad. If travel abroad is necessary, let it be by people who are selected, in whom excellence, knowledge, soundness of mind, and uprightness in religion are known. There must be someone who supervises them, follows their steps, and cares for them until they return, on the condition that this is for a specialization that is necessary and for which there is no equivalent within the country that suffices.
And we ask Allah to grant the rulers success in all good and to assist the people of knowledge in fulfilling their obligation.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.