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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.

· 11 Rajab 1427 AH1 min readFatwa 14445English
Islamic Politics

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

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

Answered by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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