What is meant by "preserving one's religion" that permits residing in the West, and does this include the ability to engage in trade without forbidden commercial insurance?
The danger of residing in the lands of the disbelievers is immense for a Muslim's faith and morals. Therefore, two essential conditions must be met for residence to be permissible:
1. The resident's safety regarding their religion: This means possessing sufficient knowledge, faith, and determination to remain steadfast in their religion, while harboring enmity and hatred towards the disbelievers and refraining from befriending or loving them. Allah Almighty says: "You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred" (Quran 58:22). And Allah Almighty says: "O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. Some of them are allies of one another. And whoever of you takes them as allies - indeed, he is of them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people" (Quran 5:51).
2. The ability to outwardly manifest one's religion: This means the Muslim can perform the rituals of Islam without hindrance, such as establishing prayers, performing Friday prayers and congregational prayers, giving Zakat, fasting, performing Hajj, and so forth. If they are unable to do so, emigration becomes obligatory.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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