Is Traveling Merely for Tourism Permissible? What About Traveling to Learn Islamic History and Meet Muslims?

Question: Is Traveling Merely for Tourism Permissible? What About Traveling to Learn Islamic History and Meet Muslims? Is the 2nd case a means for us to gain reward from Allah?

Summary:

Traveling for tourism is permissible, subject to certain conditions. Traveling to learn about Islamic history and to meet Muslims is legislated and may be a means of earning reward from Allah through a righteous intention. This is the position of the majority of the scholars, provided that one safeguards his religion.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

First: Evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

From the Qur'an:

  • Al-Anʿām: 11
    Say, “Travel through the earth and observe...”

From the Qur'an:

  • Yūsuf: 109
    Have they not traveled through the earth...?

    These verses indicate the permissibility of traveling, observing, and taking lessons. The Prophet ﷺ said:

From the Sunnah:

  • Sahih al-Bukhari 1Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab:
    I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions..."

    This demonstrates that permissible actions can become acts of worship through a righteous intention.

Second: Statements of the Scholars

From the Scholars:

  • Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him)
    He stated that travel is divided into: Travel for obedience, Travel for disobedience, And permissible travel.

    Thus, traveling for tourism falls under permissible travel, provided it is free from prohibited matters.

From the Scholars:

  • Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him)
    He said: Permissible matters become acts of obedience through righteous intentions.

    Therefore, whoever travels in order to reflect, take lessons, or strengthen his faith may be rewarded for that.

From the Scholars:

  • Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Bāz (may Allah have mercy upon him)
    He said: There is no harm in traveling to non-Muslim lands for trade or other purposes if a person possesses insight and feels secure regarding his religion.

    This includes tourism and similar purposes, provided one's religion is protected.

From the Scholars:

  • Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn (may Allah have mercy upon him)
    He stated: Traveling to non-Muslim countries is not permissible except under certain conditions: that a person possesses knowledge by which he can repel doubts, religion that protects him from desires, and a genuine need for such travel.

    This indicates that the basic ruling is conditional permissibility, not unrestricted prohibition.

Third: Applying This to the Question 1. Traveling Merely for Tourism It is permissible if it is free from prohibited matters. It becomes disliked or prohibited if a person fears harm to his religion. 2. Traveling to Learn Islamic History and Meet Muslims This is closer to an act of obedience and a person may be rewarded for it if he intends: To take lessons and reflect, To strengthen ties with Muslims, To increase his faith.

Traveling for tourism is permissible, subject to its conditions. Traveling to learn about Islamic history and to meet Muslims is legislated and a person may be rewarded for it through a righteous intention. All of this is conditioned upon safeguarding one’s religion and staying away from trials and temptations.

And Allah knows best.

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