Tourism brings non-believers

22-9-1999 | IslamWeb

Question:

Tourism is very important business, especially for countries that do not have other financial means, for example, tunisia. However, we know that tourism brings foreigners with bad habits, like bad clothes and alcohol. What is the Islamic view on this matter?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah has ordered his slaves to travel in earth to learn, to take lessons, to seek livelihood, and to struggle for the sake of Allah. He says in the Holy Qur’an (meanings in English) {Have they not travelled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear} [22:46] Allah also says (meanings in English) {He it is, Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it, etc.) so walk about its regions thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection.} [67:15] The journey for taking lessons is demanded. If it does any harm to Muslims, then it is prohibited, whether they travel to other countries or others come to our countries. There is no doubt that tourists are demonstrating forbidden acts as drinking Alcohol, nakedness and obscenity. Islam does not agree with this kind of tourism as they call it!? In addition to that, they come to our countries on the condition that they will not harm Muslims. But what harm greater than violating the rules of Islam, and bad influence on Muslims!. There is no benefit that would be raising hopes in this kind of business. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an (meanings in English): {O you have believe (in Allah’s Oneness and in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW)! Verily, the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and in the Message of Muhammad (Blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) are Najasun (impure). So let them not come near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) after this year, and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you if He will, out of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.} [9:28] Allah ordered believers to prevent non-believers from entering in Haram (Makkah) although Muslims were in a dire need of economic assistance. If the believers fear from poverty because of blocking this source of illicit income, Allah will open for them many ways of livelihood, Insha Allah. They should put the teachings of Allah and His Prophet (Blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) into practice, do well and shun evil, and seek forgiveness from Allah. Then, Allah will help them and grant them a good prosperity, here and hereafter. Allah knows best.