Hijra under oppression

Question

Question: Is it permissible, in a time of fear, to leave one’s settlement and go to a place of safety or not? When two or four people leave, the remaining Muslims become anxious and weakened, and a chain of vacating begins; in this way the Muslims become fewer, and the disbelievers (kafirs) loot and plunder without restraint.

Answer

It is indeed permissible, but it is great heartlessness and a cause of the Muslims losing their footing: through it fear and panic arise in the hearts of other Muslims too, as a result of which they are overpowered. Either all should unite and put up resistance, or all should relocate after arranging for the protection of the weak and the feeble.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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