Dear Hadi,
Assalamualaikum,
I told my friend from Dubai that I am not going to visit there because of what they are doing in Sudan. He invited me for vacation, however I refused. Upon the response I gave, he said that living in America is wrong as well, but I was born here and I don’t have a choice where I can live. My parents moved from India to the US for a better life. My friend from Dubai came to America for studies and he also claims he is doing Dawah as well (that part is between him and Allah). My question here is, am I wrong for saying I don’t want to go to Dubai for vacation because of what they’re doing in Sudan even though I’m living in America?
Dear Reader,
You raise an interesting question. While it may not feel like a satisfactory answer, we don’t believe there is necessarily a right or wrong here.
On the one hand, we know that here in the U.S., there are residents who are choosing not to vacation in Florida or Texas for example, because of their respective state politics. Similarly, there have been several stories about Canadians who have decided not to vacation in the United States because of various recent U.S. policies. We believe that, as individuals, we certainly have the freedom to choose where we want to spend our vacation dollars, and if you feel that vacationing in Dubai violates principles you hold, then we think it is completely legitimate for you to decide not to vacation there.
However, on the other hand, we would not tell someone who does want to vacation in Dubai that, by doing so, they are doing anything wrong. Certainly, in several ways, Dubai is likely to be more aligned with our values as Muslims than many other countries.
Remember, the Prophet PBUH was given permission to mix with the unbelievers, and told to refrain from them only when they engaged in blasphemy or mocking the signs of God, but could return to them when they engaged in different conversations:
“And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.” Quran 6:68
In a related and supporting verse, we see:
“He has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah’s revelations being denied or ridiculed, then do not sit in that company unless they engage in a different topic, or else you will be like them. Surely Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.” Quran 4:140
Thus, as much as you might object to the policies of Dubai, it would be safe to say that they are definitely not unbelievers nor are they engaging in the behavior mentioned in these verses, and thus we are not obligated to shun them or withdraw from them. And as we noted above, they are, in fact, probably more aligned with Islamic values than many other countries.
Moreover, your purpose in traveling there is simply to visit your friend, not to take part in activities that support a policy with which you disagree.
Thus, we believe that this decision is primarily a matter of individual choice and comfort level, and not a matter in which Islam dictates a specific policy or rule.
In peace.