Question :
This is regarding the affair of hijrah of a sister, she wants to marry a brother who has made hijrah and who is residing in the lands of muslims and she is residing in one of the lands of disbelief with her parents.She wishes to go forward with that marriage in order to be aided in making hijrah. However, her parents are displeased with this for her. Should she continue with this marriage and go forward with it or should she stay behind and please her parents ?
Answer :
The Shaykh said,
“Hijrah (emigration from the lands of disbelief to the lands of the muslims) is wajib upon from the men and women from lands of kufr to the lands of Islam for those who are able. As for those who are unable ,who are weak and not able to make hijrah, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says concerning them ,
إِلَّا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا
‘Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way’
فَأُولَـٰئِكَ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا
‘These are they whom Allah is likely to forgive them, and Allah is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.’
(Suratun Nisa 98-99)
This woman is also to be careful with regards to her intention for the Messenger of Allaah sallalahu alayhi wasallam said ,
فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَإِلَى رَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوِ امْرَأَةٍ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ ”
‘..So one whose emigration was to Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration was to Allah and His Messenger. And one whose emigration was to the world, to attain some of it, or woman, to marry her, then his emigration was to what he emigrated. (meaning that he does not get the full reward of hijrah)’ ( Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1647, Abu Esa said this hadith is hasan saheeh)
Also, if the woman fears for herself regarding staying in the land of kufr and she is able to make hijrah then it is wajib (obligatory) upon her. If she can not make hijrah with regards to obeying her parents, meaning if they fear for her that she is going to travel by herself and going to this brother in the land , things may not work out or she may be left alone, or that she may reach some kind of harm or disrespect ; in this case , then she stays where she is. However, if the brother can come to that land where she is and marry her and then take her then this is that which is better .
(Upon asking the shaykh that if she can travel alone..)
The woman can travel by herself for the intention of hijrah but this has to be looked at carefully since there are many dangers and trials in the world nowadays. So, she is to be careful (in making this decision).”
Answered by : Shaykh abu Ishaaq al Qaysee hafidhahullah