It is not permissible for a Muslim to take citizenship of countries whose government is disbelieving, because this leads to their allegiance with them and their support of their false deeds. Residing there without citizenship is fundamentally prohibited according to this noble verse:
«إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ظَالِمِي أَنفُسِهِمْ قَالُوا فِيمَ كُنتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا كُنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ قَالُوا أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَا ۚ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا ﴿٩٧﴾ إِلَّا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ»
“Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves – [the angels] will say, ‘In what [condition] were you?’ They will say, ‘We were oppressed in the land.’ The angels will say, ‘Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?’ For those, their refuge is Hell – and evil it is as a destination. Except for the oppressed among men, women, and children who cannot devise a plan nor are they directed to a way.”
Also, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“I disassociate myself from every Muslim who resides among the disbelievers.”
Furthermore, other hadiths have been narrated on this subject. There is consensus among Muslims that migration from lands of polytheism to lands of Islam is obligatory according to one’s ability. However, if a knowledgeable and insightful person resides among disbelievers to propagate Islam and invite them to the religion, then there is no obstacle for him, especially when he fears no fitnah (trial) in his religion and hopes to influence and guide them.
