| Right to Migrate under
Oppressive Conditions
Qur'ān
Sūrah an Nisa' 4.97-100:
"Behold those whom the angels gather in death while they are still
sinning against themselves, (the angels) will ask: "In what (plight)
were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed were we in the
earth." They say: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious
enough for you to move yourselves away (from the domain of evil)?" Such men
will find their abode in Hell, What an evil refuge!
Except those who
are (really) weak and oppressed -- men, women, and children who cannot
bring forth any strength and have not been shown the right way.
For
these, there is hope that Allah will forgive for Allah doth blot out
(sins) and forgive again and again.
He who forsakes his home in the
cause of Allah, finds in the earth many a lonely road, as well as life
abundant refuge. And if anyone leaves his home, fleeing from evil unto God
and His Apostle, and then death overtakes him - his reward is ready with
God: for God is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of
Grace".
Note: According to Qur'anic teaching, a Muslim's
ultimate loyalty must be to God and not to any territory. To fulfill his
Prophetic mission, the Prophet Muhammad decided to leave his place of
birth, Mecca, and emigrated to Medina. This event ("Hijrah") has
great historical and spiritual significance for Muslims who are called
upon to move away from their place of origin if it becomes an abode of
evil and oppression where they cannot fulfill their obligations to God or
establish justice.
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