How Should I Decide Where To Live?

How should I decide where to live?

Dear questioner,

May Allah bless you.

The most crucial factor to consider in choosing where to live is its impact on yourself and your family. Consider a place that has a scholar you can benefit from and a school or an educational plan that is appropriate for your children and their Islamic upbringing.

Do not move if you are already in a good community with programs and classes and other healthy activities in a Muslim society.

Good company is also a significant factor. Imagine moving somewhere you will feel lonely and not have any Muslim friends and gatherings.

Such a company can be dangerous and can slowly distance one from their religion.

“The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

 “A person is on the religion of his close friend, so let him carefully examine whom he befriends.”

[Abu Dawud]

Having a source of lawful provision for yourself and your family is very important. So in considering where you want to live, is it going to be a place you will take on a lawful job? It is imperative to have a job that one can earn a living permitted by Islamic law; this is one of the causes of attaining blessings or barakah.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.” [Tirmidhi]

Another consideration when moving is to think about who you are responsible for and if your move will impact them. An example is parents; children owe it to their parents to show gratitude and take care of them. Allah, Most High, reminds us of this in many places in His book,

“So give thanks to Me, and to your parents. To Me is the destination.” [Qur’an 31:14]

Whether or not you will stay or move, a great tool to consider in seeking knowledge or a good education for yourself or your family is online education. At times and often, studying in person is the best; however, it is a better option if it means sound reliable teachers, and an environment conducive to healthy learning growth. SeekersGuidance, for example, is a great place to learn almost any science of the religion from qualified and capable teachers, for free!

Take advice from the righteous, and pray istikhara. Then, trust in Allah, and go forward.

[Imam] Yama Niazi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani