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Fatwa CenterHas to choose between the religious study in his Muslim country and the worldly study in the West
Question
Assalamalaikum I am a student of grade 11th and completing my studies. I am having two options now for further studies -either to U.S.A. or for Alim course in Imam university in riyadh,Saudi Arabia. If i will go to U.S.A i can do my studies and i can also go through islamic books. I can do both in that case. But if i will chose for going to imam university ,there i should only go throuh islamic studies and i will be lacking knowledge of this world. so my question is which option will be better for me in your site?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
First of all, we thank you for contacting us and having trust in us and in our Fataawa, and we ask Allaah to enable you to do what pleases Him.
As regards the best choice between Islamic studies and worldly studies in 
said: "Actions are judged by intentions." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
However, Islamic studies are the best studies and most beneficial as one gets closer to Allaah by studying them, and these studies cannot be compared to any other studies in regard to their excellence. Moreover, there are many disadvantages in studying in non-Muslims countries; for the ruling, please refer to Fataawa 84777 and 82091.
Therefore, if you know that you have enough Islamic knowledge and piety that enable you to repel your desires and the misconceptions [in religion] in the non-Muslim country, and what you intend to study is beneficial and is lacking in your country and the Muslims are in need for it, then in this case, you may rely on Allaah and perform the Istikhaarah prayer and then go to study this science, after having sought the advice and permission of your parents and that of the scholars whose piety and knowledge you trust.
However, if you know that you may be weak in confronting the temptations in that country or that the science which you intend to study is available in your country, or that the Muslims are not in need for it, then in this case studying Islamic studies comes in priority.
Allaah Knows best.
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