Advice to the Muslims in the West

1-Our advice to our Muslim
brothers who are living in the west – now – is the same as the advice that
Allaah gave to the first and the last, which is to fear Allaah and to do
that which is enjoined by Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him), and to avoid that which is forbidden by Allaah and
His Messenger.

2-Do not stay there, except for
those of you who are forced to stay or who need to do so, because they have
no other place to go, or because they are sick and need treatment, or they
are active in da’wah, calling people to Islam; or if you are natives of that
land and can practise your religion openly. You know your situation better
than we do and you have seen for yourselves how the west has shown its true
colours with regard to so-called religious freedom and freedom of
self-expression. That has become permissible for all religions except Islam,
and for all people except the Muslims; the heads of some of these states
have even dared to issue laws forbidding Muslim women to wear hijab in
public schools.

3-If you have no alternative but
to stay in those countries, then strive not to raise your children there;
send them to a Muslim country, to their families or to Islamic centres that
will take care of them and educate them. No matter how great the corruption
in Muslim countries, it cannot compare to the kufr and permissiveness that
exists in the west, except in a few rare cases.

4-You have to present a correct
image of Islam by adhering to its rituals, morals and ways. Many countries
were won over by Muslim merchants who dealt in a good and kind manner with
people, so that the gave a good image of Islam and countries became Muslim
at their hands whose inhabitants number in the tens of millions.

5-It is not permissible for you
to look for ward to dilute the rulings of Islam and to make compromises in
order to please the west and its people. Rather you should feel proud of
your religion and adhere to the guidance of your Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him), no matter who disagrees with you. You see
how the followers of deviant ideas and perversions feel proud of their
principles and ideas and proclaim them openly with no embarrassment. The
followers of truth have more right to do that.

6-Be united in adhering to the
truth and in defending the truth; do not become divided and lose your
strength, thus enabling your enemy to defeat you. And do not show your
differences openly in front of the kuffaar. Advise one another in private
and not in plain view of others.

7-Do not hesitate to be involved
in newspapers, magazines, broadcasting and all kinds of media – within
Islamic guidelines – and let your participation be with a purpose, namely to
show the true face of Islam. Defend the honour of your Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him), for many kaafirs may be receptive and
may respond to a kind word or be influenced by strong evidence.

8-You have to develop strong ties
with the scholars and shaykhs whose knowledge is trustworthy, through all
available means. Rid yourselves of ignorance about your faith so that you
may dispel the ignorance of others in turn. Introduce Islam to the public,
free of all impurities.

9-Visit the Holy Land of Allaah –
Makkah al-Mukarramah – for Hajj and ‘Umrah, in order to strengthen your
faith and form strong ties with the scholars and shaykhs. We often see
Muslims from all corners of the earth, but rarely from the west. So strive
to do this and cooperate in organizing trips, and you will see a great deal
of good in sha Allah.

10-Finally, strive to
obey and worship Allaah, and take good care of your sons and daughters;
strive to form strong bonds between family members.

We ask Allaah to help you to do that which pleases Him and to
help you to obey Him and worship Him well.