Working as pilot and traveling to non-Muslim countries

24-12-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I wanted to know if it is permissible to be a pilot considering that I might have to travel to a lot of countries, including non-Muslim countries?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

There is no religious impediment to working as a pilot, even if it requires traveling to non-Muslim countries, as long as the Muslim feels safe from being exposed to Fitnah (temptation) and he can practice his religion openly and freely in those countries. The fatwa of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fataawa reads, "If the Muslim wants to travel to a non-Muslim country for a need, like maintaining ties of kinship, and there is no fear of Fitnah and he can practice his religion openly, then it is permissible for him to travel. However, he should not remain there longer than needed. May Allah grant us success, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and Companions."

Allah knows best.