In His Most Exalted Name
[The Holy Presence of the Great Leader of the Muslims Haj Sayyid Rouhullah Khomeini, may he live long:
A religious query to His Eminence: Muslim men and women are leaving our country (Turkey) to go to Germany, Holland, Belgium and other non-Muslim countries for the purpose of work. While over there most of them commit acts which bring disrespect for Islam and disgrace for the Muslims. Out of one hundred ninety-nine of them abandon their obligatory devotions; they commit sins such as gambling, consuming alcohol, adultery, and at times, marrying those who are religiously mahram «1» for them, and other acts which are not worthy of mention. In the sacred religion of Islam, are such kinds of jobs, migrations and their earnings halal or not? Please state the verdict for it.
Qars Haj `Ali
Turkey]
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
To Whom we seek help
The subject you wrote caused me great sorrow and has touched me. Such kinds of works bring the wrath of God, the Exalted, and hurt the heart of the awliya', may God's peace be upon them. Doing such acts that entail disrespect for Islam and the Muslims is among the grave sins and transgressions.
Migrating from the dar al-islam [Abode of Islam] to the dar al-kufr [Abode of Disbelief], which necessitates these types of grave sins and working for the unbelievers, which requires the defamation of the sacred religion of Islam is forbidden and its rewards is the hell fire, «2» and it is unlawful. It is necessary for the distinguished `ulama', concerned authorities and all the different classes of Muslims to prevent these migrations, which amount to the defamation of the Islamic government and nation. I pray for the awakening of the Muslim nations and the severance of the hands of foreigners. May peace be upon those who follow the guidance.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi Khomeini
Rabi` al-Awwal 5,1392 AH