Living Between the Disbelievers

A Muslim is obliged to live by Islam and implement the Sharee'ah wherever he is. He must also swear allegiance to none but Allah (SWT), His Messenger (SAW) and to the ameer ul-mu'mineen (leader of the Muslims). If there is no leader (or Khaleefah) to pledge allegiance to (like in today's reality), it becomes mandatory to work collectively with other Muslims in order to eradicate shirk (disbelief, false deities, non-Islamic law etc.) and implement the Sharee'ah.
Moreover, it is not permissible for a Muslim to live between the disbelievers unless he distinguishes himself from them, preserves his Deen, rejects their customs, ideologies, ways of life; calls them to Islam and fulfils all his other duties and ritual obligations. Jareer bin 'Abdillah (RA) reported that the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) said:

أنا بريءٌ من كلِّ مسلمٍ يقيم بين أظهر المشركين

I disassociate myself from any Muslim who lives between the Mushrikeen [disbelievers]. (Sunan Abee Daawud, hadeeth no.2645)
This disassociation is from Muslims who live between the Kuffaar (i.e. in daar ul-harb) and do not distinguish themselves from the disbelievers and fulfil their obligation of inviting them to Islam (openly in public). Distinguishing one's self from the disbelievers can be accomplished in many ways. However, this must be primarily done by holding onto the Islamic values and adhering to the Sharee'ah (without any compromise).

If a person is unable to hold onto his Deen, reject shirk and kufr (interfaith, multiculturalism, integration, the false ways of life, deities, traditions, laws, religions and customs of the non-Muslims etc.), disassociate himself from the disbelievers (by not voting for them, participating in their political processes or joining their forces etc.) and openly invite society to Islam; it becomes prohibited for him to live amongst them and hijrah (migration) becomes obligatory upon him.

The only person who has the permit not to distinguish himself from the Kuffaar and publicly invite them to Islam is the mujaahid. However, one should not let the shaytaan (devil) whisper to him and convince him that he is a mujaahid or he is preparing for jihaad. Nowadays there are many fake "mujaahids" who do nothing but sit behind their computers all day, slander sincere Muslims, watch a few video clips and free-mix in "Islamic" forums. What is even worse is that they have the audacity to claim they are working hard in the cause of Allah and are serving the Muslim Ummah.
Either da'wah or hijrah
One of the characteristics of a munaafiq (hypocrite) is that he lives between the Kuffaar (in daar ul-harb) without to fight them or distinguish himself from them (by calling them to Islam). Furthermore, he also avoids making hijrah when it becomes obligatory upon him to do so. Allah (SWT) says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ ظَالِمِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ قَالُوا فِيمَ كُنْتُمْ قَالُوا كُنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِي الأرْضِ قَالُوا أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَا فَأُولَئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا

إِلا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ لا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلا

فَأُولَئِكَ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا

Verily! As for those whom the angels take [in death] while they are wronging themselves [as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them], they [angels] say [to them]: "In what [condition] were you?" They reply: "We were weak and oppressed on earth." They [angels] say: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?" Such men will find their abode in Hell - what an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way. For these there is hope that Allah will forgive them, and Allah is ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving. (EMQ an-Nisaa', 4:97–99)

Al-Bukhaari recorded that Muhammad bin 'Abdir-Rahmaan (Abul Aswad) said, "The people of al-Madeenah were forced to prepare an army [to fight against the people of ash-Shaam during the khilaafah of Abdullah bin az-Zubayr at Makkah], and I was enlisted in it. Then I met 'Ikrimah, the freed slave of Ibn 'Abbaas, and informed him [about it], and he forbade me strongly from doing so [i.e., to enlist in that army], and then he said to me, Ibn 'Abbaas told me that some Muslims used to go out with the idolaters increasing the size of their army against the Messenger of Allah. Then, an arrow would hit one of them and kill him, or he would be struck on his neck [with a sword] and killed, and Allah sent down the aayah: 'Verily! As for those whom the angels take while they are wronging themselves…'"
Ad-Dahhaak stated that this aayah was revealed about some hypocrites who did not join the Messenger of Allah (SAW) but remained in Makkah and went out with the idolaters for the Battle of Badr. They were killed among those who were killed. Thus, this honourable aayah was revealed about those who reside among the idolaters, while able to perform hijrah and unable to practice their Deen. Such people will be committing injustice against themselves and falling into a prohibition according to the Consensus and also according to this aayah.



Moreover, in another aayah Allah (SWT) says:



فَمَا لَكُمْ فِي الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِئَتَيْنِ وَاللَّهُ أَرْكَسَهُمْ بِمَا كَسَبُوا أَتُرِيدُونَ أَنْ تَهْدُوا مَنْ أَضَلَّ اللَّهُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلا

وَدُّوا لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُوا فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَاءً فَلا تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ حَتَّى يُهَاجِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَخُذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُمُوهُمْ وَلا تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلا نَصِيرًا

Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites? Allah has cast them back [to disbelief] because of what they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made to go astray? And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never find for him any way [of guidance].

They wish that you reject [Eemaan], as they have rejected [Eemaan], and thus that you all become equal [like one another]. So take not awliyaa' [protectors or friends] from them, till they emigrate in the Way of Allah [to Muhammad SAW]. But if they turn back [from Islam], take [hold] of them and kill them wherever you find them, and take neither awliyaa' [protectors or friends] nor helpers from them. (EMQ an-Nisaa', 4:88–89)

Imaam Ahmad recorded that Zayd bin Thaabit (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) marched towards Uhud. However, some people went back to al-Madeenah, and the Companions of the Messenger of Allah divided into two groups concerning them, one saying they should be killed and the other objecting. Allah (SWT) then revealed: "Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites…"
Haatib bin Abee Balta'ah
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَتَّخِذُوا عَدُوِّي وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ تُلْقُونَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِالْمَوَدَّةِ وَقَدْ كَفَرُوا بِمَا جَاءَكُمْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ يُخْرِجُونَ الرَّسُولَ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنْ تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ رَبِّكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ خَرَجْتُمْ جِهَادًا فِي سَبِيلِي وَابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِي تُسِرُّونَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِالْمَوَدَّةِ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِمَا أَخْفَيْتُمْ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُمْ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْهُ مِنْكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاءَ السَّبِيلِ

O you who believe! Take not my enemies and your enemies [i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.] as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth [i.e. Islamic Monotheism, the Qur'aan, and Muhammad SAW], and have driven out the Messenger [SAW] and yourselves [from your homeland] because you believe in Allah your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, [then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, etc., as your friends]. You show friendship to them in secret, while I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you [Muslims] does that, then indeed he has gone [far] astray, [away] from the Straight Path. (EMQ al-Mumtahanah, 60:1)

The story of Haatib bin Abee Balta'ah is the reason behind revealing the beginning of this honourable Soorah. Haatib was among the Early Emigrants and participated in the Battle of Badr. Haatib had children and wealth in Makkah, but he was not from the tribe of Quraysh. Rather, he was an ally of 'Uthmaan. When the Messenger of Allah (SAW) decided to conquer Makkah, after its people broke the peace treaty between them, he ordered the Muslims to mobilize their forces to attack Makkah, and then said, "O Allah! Keep our news concealed from them."

Haatib wrote a letter and sent it to the people of Makkah, with a woman from the tribe of Quraysh, informing them of the Messenger's intent to attack them. He wanted them to be indebted to him (so that they would grant safety to his family in Makkah). Allah the Exalted conveyed this matter to His Messenger (SAW), because He accepted the Prophet's invocation (to Him to conceal the news of the attack). The Prophet sent someone after the woman and retrieved the letter.

This letter was addressed from Haatib bin Abee Balta'ah to some pagans of Makkah, telling them about what Allah's Messenger intended to do. Allah's Messenger (SAW) then said, "O Haatib! What is this?" Haatib replied, "O Allah's Messenger! Do not make a hasty decision about me. I was a person not belonging to Quraysh, but I was an ally to them. All the Emigrants who were with you have kinsmen (in Makkah) who can protect their families. So I wanted to do them a favour, so they might protect my relatives, as I have no blood relation with them. I did not do this out of disbelief or to renegade from my religion, nor did I do it to choose disbelief after Islam."
Allah's Messenger (SAW) said to his Companions, "Regarding him, he has told you the truth." 'Umar (RA) then exclaimed:

دعني يا رسول الله أضرب عنق هذا المنافق

O Allah's Messenger! Allow me to chop off the head of this hypocrite [kaafir]!

The Prophet (SAW) said, "He attended Badr. What can I tell you, perhaps Allah looked at those who attended Badr and said, 'O people of Badr, do what you like, for I have forgiven you.'" Allah (SWT) then revealed: "O you who believe! Take not my enemies and your enemies [i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.] as friends, showing affection towards them…"

We can learn from this incident that the Prophet (SAW) consented to the takfeer of 'Umar (RA) upon Haatib, and had to wait for revelation from Allah in order to decide what to do with him. Furthermore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to give information to the Kuffaar even if it is to save one's family.
In summary
If Muslims are going to continue to live between the Kuffaar and become busy with the dunyaa 'worldly life' (such as by working excessive hours or wasting time spending years learning about the dunyaa in school, college or university), without to at least invite the disbelievers to Islam (publicly), command the good, forbid the evil, and distinguish themselves from the non-Muslims; there is a great chance that they may become munaafiqeen; and thus, they must make hijrah and go to a place where they are able to do all their obligations.

Da'wah by commanding good and forbidding evil are obligations upon Muslims; therefore, we should not be like those who are cursed by Almighty Allah (SWT) and follow some ahkaam but reject others. Allah ta'aalaa says:
أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ الْكِتَابِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ فَمَا جَزَاءُ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُمْ إِلا خِزْيٌ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَى أَشَدِّ الْعَذَابِ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do. (EMQ al-Baqarah, 2:85)