Modern Muslima.com: Articles : A Western Muslim's Guide to Hijrah

A Western Muslim's Guide to Hijrah

by S. Umm Zaid

Part I: An Overview

Part II: Reality Checks for Would-Be Muhajirun

Part III: Money Matters and Legal Concerns

Part IV: Standards of Living and Healthcare

Part V: Politics and War

Part VI: Women's Concerns

Part VII: Schooling, Marrying, and Disability / Access Issues

Part VIII: Making the Most of Resources

Part I: An Overview

This Guide to Hijrah was originally published as a series of posts on the Sunni Sister blog, in September 2007. Here, we present it to you edited, expanded, and with additional resources, including comments and suggestions from the blog readers.

I am an American-Jordanian. I have lived in both the United States and Jordan. When the term "here" is used in this guide, it is meant to denote the Middle East or Muslim world. "There" is meant to denote the West. This guide is not intended to be specific to any one understanding or "sect" of Islam. It is meant to be of benefit to any Western Muslim, regardless of her / his interpretation of Islam, as they consider a move overseas. Unfortunately, I believe that some of the people who most need to hear this are those who refuse to read this “deviant” site. If you're one of those who has doubts, please be reassured that I will say very little or nothing in this guide about this or that understanding of Islam or scholar or whatever. This is about practical Muslim-to-Muslim advice.

I wanted to share some practical, real world ideas, a sort of hijrah guide about things you should know, have, or do before you go jetting off to the Muslim world fisibillah. I wrote this because I am distressed, saddened, and disgusted by some of the things that Western Muslims — of any stripe — coming over here have had to go through. Frankly, a lot of it come out of arrogance and ignorance about the realities of the Muslim world. You can make a go of it here, no matter your minhaj, tariqa, school of thought, or style of dress, but you need to take off the blinders and be thoughtful, deliberate, and careful. This is not a fairy tale land. This is not the time of the Prophet (aleyhi salatu wa salaam). It’s not even the time of the Abbasids or the Ottomans. Muslims are not going to fall all over themselves to give you a prize or take care of you because you’ve made hijrah.

So before you come to the Muslim world, there’s some things you need to know about, have, and do.

For all our differences, we have much in common, and as Muslims, we should strive to benefit one another in any way we can. Very little has been written about the hijrah experience, and sadly, there are still some Muslims who have no clue as to the realities of living and working in the Muslim lands. It is true that there are some books on the Shari'i rulings of hijrah but very little on experience and practical advice.

Once upon a time, I thought it was a great idea to move to a Muslim country. Let’s all pack up and move! That was a long time ago, my friends.

Once upon a time, I thought it was the worst idea to live in a Muslim country. There’s little benefit there. Stay where you are!

And then one day, reality smacked me oops upside my head.

I only speak as one person who has lived in both the United States (West) and Jordan (Muslim World). I speak as one person who had very mixed intentions for moving there and coming back.

So I wrote this with the intention of outlining some practical concerns for sincere Muslims who want to move to the "Muslim world" for the sake of their diyn and the diyn of their children. And hey -- it's free!

Next: Reality Checks