What is the ruling on those who become Muslim in kaafir countries? Are they included in the hadeeth, “I have nothing to do with any Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen”? And does he have to migrate (hijrah)?.


Praise be to Allaah.
 

If a person becomes a Muslim in a kaafir land and he is not
able to practise his religion openly and establish regular worship, or he
fears for himself tribulation regarding his religious commitment, and he
cannot protect his honour, then he is obliged to migrate, because the
Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I have
nothing to do with any Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen. But if he is
able to practise his religion openly and establish regular worship, and he
is able to migrate, then it is mustahabb for him to migrate, but in this
case it is not obligatory. 

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in
al-Mughni: It is mustahabb for him (to migrate) so that he will be able
to wage jihad against them – i.e., the kuffaar – and he will increase the
numbers of the Muslims and support them. End quote. 

But if he is able to practise his religion openly, and he is
safe from fitnah (tribulation, temptation), and he can call people to Allaah
and teach the Muslims about their religion, then he may stay and not
migrate, because his staying there serves an interest. When Maalik ibn
al-Huwayrith (may Allaah be pleased with him) and his companions came to the
Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and stayed with
him, when the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
noticed that they were missing their families, he told them to go back and
to teach their people, and he said: “Go back to your families and teach
them.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6008; Muslim, 674.  

Al-Bukhaari (1452) and Muslim (1865) narrated from Abu Sa’eed
al-Khudri that a Bedouin asked the Messenger of Allaah SAWS (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) about migration (hijrah) and he said: “Woe
to you! Migration is very important. Do you have any camels?” He said:
“Yes.” He said: “Do you pay zakaah on them?” He said: “Yes.” He said:
“(Even) if you are in the remotest region, Allaah will not cause any of your
deeds to be lost.” 

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:  

“Allaah will not cause any of your deeds to be lost” means:
He will never allow the reward for any of your deeds to be lost, no matter
where you are.  

The scholars said that what is meant by the migration
(hijrah) which this Bedouin asked about is staying close to Madeenah with
the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and forsaking
one’s family and homeland. The Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) feared that he would not be able to bear that, and he would not
fulfil his rights towards them, and that he would turn back (from Islam), so
he said to him: This migration that you asked about is very important, but
do good in your own land, and wherever you are it will benefit you, and
Allaah will not allow anything of it to be lost. 

So migration depends on whether one is able to practise Islam
openly and worship openly. If a person cannot do that and he fears fitnah
(tribulation), then he must migrate; if he is able to practise Islam openly
but he is able to migrate, then migration is mustahabb (recommended); if he
is able to practise Islam openly and he engages in da’wah and teaches the
Muslims, then he may stay. And Allaah knows best. May Allaah help us all to
do that which He loves and which pleases Him. 

See also question no.
13363.