Advice from Al-Imaam ibn Baaz to the Muslim Minorities

My advice to my Muslim brothers in the Islaamic minority communities and in every place is that they fear Allaah and that they strive to understand their deen (religion) and that they ask the people of knowledge about whatever is not clear and that they strive to learn the Arabic language so they can use it to help themselves understand the Book of Allaah (عز و جل) and the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The first of that is to attach importance to the Book of Allaah, understanding (it) and acting (by it), as has come in the authentic hadeeth:

“The best of you is he who has studied the Qur’aan and has taught it.”

Then reading the reliable acknowledged books of hadeeth and the other books from the books of Fiqh and ‘Aqeedah that are considered reliable with Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, and that they learn all of that from ‘Ulamaa (scholars) known for having righteousness and piety and good ‘Aqeedah and correct knowledge.

Also, it is upon (our) brothers, the ‘Ulamaa in the societies that possess Muslim minorities that they be energetic in the domain of calling to Allaah amongst their brothers and amongst other than them, and for them is the reward from Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى). This deed is from the most glorious and greatest of deeds as has preceded in His statement:

وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلا مِمَّنْ دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

“And who is better in speech than he who calls to Allaah and does good deeds and says: ‘Verily I am one of the Muslims.’” - Fussilat (41):33

Then after that, it is incumbent upon them to convey this deen to those around them from the other religions because the religion of Islaam is for all people. He (سبحانه وتعالى) said:

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا

“Say: O people, indeed I am the Messenger of Allaah to all of you.” - Al-A’raaf (7):158

These societies are in the most need for this religion, and the caller to Allaah obtains a great reward if he is a reason for the guidance of these people and directs them to that which was unknown to them from the matters of the religion of Islaam as has preceded in the statement of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) to ‘Ali ibn Abee Taalib:

“For, by Allaah, that Allaah guide by you a single man is better for you than the red camels.”

Through this da’wah, groups, Allaah willing, enter into the religion of Allaah, the religion of Islaam, and the number of the disbelievers decreases. Then the victory, Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) willing, will be for the Muslims.

And if the Muslim is not able to give da’wah in those lands, then it is upon him to adhere to his deen and uphold Islaamic character and manners, for verily that is da’wah by actions and it is something that is loved by those who possess sound intellect, for people most often are affected by these praiseworthy characteristics. 

Indeed some of the regions of South East Asia have entered Islaam because of the character of the merchants from trustworthiness and being truthful in dealings. 

And whenever the Muslim is not able to openly perform his deen in the land he resides in whereas he does not feel safe for his deen and his honor and his wealth, then verily it is incumbent upon him hijrah (migration) to safe lands in which he is able to perform the rituals of his deen in safety and comfort if he is able to do that, working by the verses and hadeeths that have come concerning that.