Fatwa #144455 August 2006United Kingdom
I write on behalf of my sister who lives in the USA. She has applied for citizenship and has to take the oath noted below. What would the Islamic perspective be for taking such an oath.
Question
I write on behalf of my sister who lives in the USA. She has applied for citizenship and has to take the oath noted below. What would the Islamic perspective be for taking such an oath.
Naturalization Oath of Allegiance
to the United States of America
Oath:
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and
abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state
or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or
citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the
United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I
will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on
behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform
noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required
by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian
direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely
without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God
A point to ponder is that a Muslim born in the USA or UK etc becomes a
citizen of the said country and has therefore by default accepted a similar
oath of allegiance to their country of citizenship.
A prompt response would be appreciated as she is to move to another town and
would then have to wait for another three months and start the whole process
again
Naturalization Oath of Allegiance
to the United States of America
Oath:
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and
abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state
or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or
citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the
United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I
will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on
behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform
noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required
by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian
direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely
without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God
A point to ponder is that a Muslim born in the USA or UK etc becomes a
citizen of the said country and has therefore by default accepted a similar
oath of allegiance to their country of citizenship.
A prompt response would be appreciated as she is to move to another town and
would then have to wait for another three months and start the whole process
again
Answer
The statements of declaration does not include renouncing one’s faith and religion. In fact, the constitution of the United States of America grants its citizens freedom of religion. As such, Muslims are permitted to freely practise on Islam within the constitution of the United States.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai