The tragic state of forced migration represents one of the most important problems of our time. Natural calamities, wars, and persecution drive millions of people from their homes year after year into journeys filled with uncertainty in the quest for safety and dignity. There is guidance and wisdom in the Islamic tradition regarding displaced individuals—approaches that are deeply compassionate, reflecting fairness in treatment and protection. This tradition is explored in Islamic Relief USA’s report, Forced Migrations, Refugee Rights, and Islam: An Overview.
Understanding forced migration is important, and it is not new; it is as old as humankind. While voluntary migration involves moving to another area because of personal or economic reasons, forced migration—which involves refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons—offers no other viable alternative but to flee. Today, more than 100 million people worldwide have been driven from their homes—a number roughly the size of the combined populations of Egypt and Vietnam. Of these, over 35 million have crossed international borders as refugees in other countries, and millions more are internally displaced within their countries. Of the total, a staggering 40 percent are children, underscoring the necessity of paying attention to their particular needs.
Islam’s Relationship with Forced Migration
Forcibly displaced people are very much part of the history and philosophy of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad himself faced two major displacements: the first when his followers fled to Abyssinia and the second during the Hijrah to Medina. These milestones in Islamic history have bequeathed a long tradition of care and solidarity toward those forced to flee their homes.
Islamic values accord dignity to each person, regardless of who they are. They do not see the presence of refugees as a burden. Instead, they acknowledge them as people with rights, and above all as fellow human beings deserving of their sympathy. The very tenets of justice, fairness, and compassion in responding to others—especially those in dire situations—resonate loudly in the pages of the Qur’an as well as in the Hadith.
However, as much as Islamic principles form a strong base, the challenge at hand necessitates an integrated framework that correlates these teachings with modern-day realities: a framework that would more adequately lead Muslim-majority countries and others toward practices to protect the rights and dignity of the displaced while considering practical concerns that involve hosting refugees.
It is not only a matter of providing food and shelter, but of creating an environment in which the forcibly displaced are able to maintain dignity and serve and succeed within their communities. And if they so wish, they must be free to safely return home.
Why We Need An Islamic Framework for Forced Migration
Islam forms a caring basis on which refugees are protected and assisted in a manner that is compatible with the principles of justice, dignity, and human rights. In these teachings lie the inherent rights of refugees to safety, respect, and fair treatment. The Quran presses a religious obligation upon whoever can save those persecuted: “And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety” (Qur’an 9:6).
This directive emphasizes the responsibility of granting refuge to the weak. The actions of Prophet Muhammad further elaborate on this; giving shelter to the oppressed is a holy responsibility, and one must ensure safe passage rather than returning refugees to hazardous conditions. Refugees must be treated as human beings who deserve dignity and respect, recognizing their worth without any form of segregation: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam…” (Qur’an 17:70).
Furthermore, Islam affirms the right of refugees to freely uphold their religious identity: “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion…” (Qur’an 2:256). However, this right is often challenged in various contexts, leaving many to navigate complex realities.
Alongside, Islam recommends that the basic needs, like food, sleep, and dress, should be fully met; furthermore, the integrity of family for psychological strength must also be guaranteed for those residing out of the motherland. The Book says, “And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith—We will join with them their descendants and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained.” (Qur’an 52:21)
Here, it is a matter of equal treatment and justice; it explicitly condemns discrimination and exploitation: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives…” (Qur’an 4:135)
Also, Islam emphasizes the group right of having succor and receiving help from other members within. The insistence upon the need to protect this right then can be interpreted that Islam summons every human to a just and benevolent society with mercy and fairness as two founding pillars: “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.” (Qur’an 5:2)
These are not historical narratives, but echo modern relevance no differently than they did centuries ago.
What Islam Teaches About Refugees
Islam provides a compassionate framework where refugees are protected and assisted based on principles of justice, dignity, and human rights. This includes the inherent rights of refugees to safety, respect, and fair treatment.
The Qur’an highlights the religious obligation to protect the persecuted of: “And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety.” (Qur’an 9:6). This thus indicates a responsibility to provide asylum to those who are at risk. The actions of the Prophet Muhammad further exemplify the principle that providing refuge for the oppressed is a sacred obligation to ensure safe passage and not send refugees back into perilous conditions.
Refugees are to be treated with dignity and respect, recognized for their worth without discrimination: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam…” (Qur’an 17:70). Besides, their right to profess their religious identity freely is confirmed by Islam: “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion…” (Qur’an 2:256). This, nonetheless, is often questioned in different contexts, where many have to go through different realities.
In a similar vein, Islam advocates for the fulfillment of fundamental rights related to essential needs—such as nourishment, rest, and clothing—while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a cohesive family unit for emotional resilience during times spent away from one’s homeland. The Holy Book articulates: “And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith—We will join with them their descendants and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained.” (Qur’an 52:21) Here, the focus is on equitable treatment and justice; it explicitly condemns discrimination and exploitation: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives…” (Qur’an 4:135)
In addition, Islam emphasizes the communal right to succor and support from other members. This imperative to uphold these rights suggests that Islam calls upon us to forge a just and compassionate society, where mercy and equity serve as the two foundational principles: “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not co-operate in sin and aggression.” (Qur’an 5:2) These teachings are not merely historical narratives; rather, they resonate with contemporary relevance just as powerfully as they did in the past.
Moving Beyond Crisis
What follows is another aspect of displacement that is often overlooked, but also needs addressing. Again, Islam has much to say about this. While it encourages refugees to integrate into host communities, at the same time, it gives due emphasis to respecting the identity of these refugees as a people unto themselves. On all counts, it advocates for repatriation—that is, the safe and dignified return of refugees to their home countries—but under certain conditions only. It is not just the quick fixes that will do; rather, what is desired are lasting solutions that restore dignity to the displaced individuals. The perspective accorded herein is deeply related to contemporary international positions such as those expressed by the UNHCR, but carries a profoundly spiritual and moral depth.
A Call to Action
Many of the countries now hosting a large portion of the world’s refugees are essentially Muslim countries that lack a strong structure for their care. It is at this point in time that the desperate need for the revitalization of Islamic principles in terms of justice and mercy become so real. Imagine this: country after country, community after community, globally living out these values—not out of duty, but as an opportunity to display the best of Islamic teachings.
This sets a very important example: to receive internally displaced persons is not only a bound moral duty, but also an opportunity to build stronger, more compassionate societies. In today’s world, which is shaped by forced migration, this Islamic perspective provides a roadmap for responding with dignity, justice, and mercy.