Inviting Non-Muslims to the Arabian Peninsula – Sharʿī Guidelines and Rulings
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
What is the Sharʿī ruling on bringing non-Muslims into the Arabian Peninsula (Jazīrat al-ʿArab)?
Is it permissible, and under what conditions?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
Inviting non-Muslims into Jazīrat al-ʿArab (the Arabian Peninsula) is a matter of serious religious significance. It may involve contradicting the clear instructions of the Prophet ﷺ, as found in several authentic narrations.
«أَخْرِجُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ مِنْ جَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ»
“Expel the polytheists from the Arabian Peninsula.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jihād, Ḥadīth: 3053)
«لَأُخْرِجَنَّ الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ مِنْ جَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ حَتَّىٰ لَا أَدَعَ إِلَّا مُسْلِمًا»
“I will certainly expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula, until none remains but Muslims.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Jihād, Ḥadīth: 1767)
The general principle is:
Non-Muslims should not be brought into or allowed to reside in Jazīrat al-ʿArab, especially not permanently.
However, exceptions may apply, subject to strict conditions:
◈ If there is a genuine religious or worldly need, and no Muslim is available to fulfill that role,
→ then bringing a non-Muslim temporarily may be allowed.
Conditions:
✔ It must be due to a pressing necessity.
✔ The non-Muslim must not be granted permanent residency or unrestricted stay.
✔ Measures must be taken to preserve Islamic values and prevent moral or religious harm.
If inviting non-Muslims leads to:
◈ Moral corruption,
◈ Weakening of Islamic beliefs,
◈ Erosion of religious identity,
◈ Admiration or approval of disbelief (kufr),
→ then it becomes ḥarām (prohibited).
This is based on the Islamic legal maxim:
“A permissible act becomes prohibited if it leads to harm or corruption.”
✖ Developing affection or approval of disbelief.
✖ Loss of religious jealousy (ghayrah) through casual interaction.
✖ Weakening of Islamic values, beliefs, and identity.
◈ The presence of Muslims in these lands is a source of barakah (blessing).
◈ Priority should always be given to Muslim manpower, efforts, and solutions.
◈ This ensures the preservation of Islamic values and minimizes harmful influence.
Islam commands us to guard our dīn, uphold the sanctity of Muslim lands, and avoid anything that may undermine our religious integrity.
We ask Allah ﷻ for guidance and the ability to act upon the truth.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām❖ Question:
What is the Sharʿī ruling on bringing non-Muslims into the Arabian Peninsula (Jazīrat al-ʿArab)?
Is it permissible, and under what conditions?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
Inviting non-Muslims into Jazīrat al-ʿArab (the Arabian Peninsula) is a matter of serious religious significance. It may involve contradicting the clear instructions of the Prophet ﷺ, as found in several authentic narrations.
❖ Explicit Instructions from the Prophet ﷺ
➊ Sahih al-Bukhārī – The Prophet ﷺ said during his final illness:
«أَخْرِجُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ مِنْ جَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ»
“Expel the polytheists from the Arabian Peninsula.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jihād, Ḥadīth: 3053)
➋ Sahih Muslim – The Prophet ﷺ stated:
«لَأُخْرِجَنَّ الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ مِنْ جَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِ حَتَّىٰ لَا أَدَعَ إِلَّا مُسْلِمًا»
“I will certainly expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula, until none remains but Muslims.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Jihād, Ḥadīth: 1767)
❖ Summary of the Sharʿī Ruling:
The general principle is:
Non-Muslims should not be brought into or allowed to reside in Jazīrat al-ʿArab, especially not permanently.However, exceptions may apply, subject to strict conditions:
❖ Permissible Only in Cases of Necessity
◈ If there is a genuine religious or worldly need, and no Muslim is available to fulfill that role,
→ then bringing a non-Muslim temporarily may be allowed.
Conditions:
✔ It must be due to a pressing necessity.
✔ The non-Muslim must not be granted permanent residency or unrestricted stay.
✔ Measures must be taken to preserve Islamic values and prevent moral or religious harm.
❖ Prohibited if Religious Harm Is Feared
If inviting non-Muslims leads to:
◈ Moral corruption,
◈ Weakening of Islamic beliefs,
◈ Erosion of religious identity,
◈ Admiration or approval of disbelief (kufr),
→ then it becomes ḥarām (prohibited).
This is based on the Islamic legal maxim:
“A permissible act becomes prohibited if it leads to harm or corruption.”
❖ Possible Religious Harms Include:
✖ Developing affection or approval of disbelief.
✖ Loss of religious jealousy (ghayrah) through casual interaction.
✖ Weakening of Islamic values, beliefs, and identity.
❖ Muslim Presence Is Itself a Source of Goodness
◈ The presence of Muslims in these lands is a source of barakah (blessing).
◈ Priority should always be given to Muslim manpower, efforts, and solutions.
◈ This ensures the preservation of Islamic values and minimizes harmful influence.
❖ Final Reflection:
Islam commands us to guard our dīn, uphold the sanctity of Muslim lands, and avoid anything that may undermine our religious integrity.
We ask Allah ﷻ for guidance and the ability to act upon the truth.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
