Indeed, islam orders Muslims to render all forms of help and assistance to refugees. Throughout the history of Islam, Muslims used to take care of all people in need and they used to provide them with what caters for their basic needs. This is part of the universal mercy of Islam that encompasses all humanity.
Sheikh Hamid Al-`Ali, instructor of Islamic Heritage at the Faculty of Education, Kuwait and Imam of Dahiat As-Sabahiyya Mosque, states the following: Islam exhorts people to defend the oppressed, advocate the rights of the weak and rush to the rescue of people whose life is jeopardized. Islam does not make distinction between a Muslim and non-Muslim in this regard. It is reported that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) received the wahy or the Divine Revelation for the first time, he was really scarred and feared for himself that he rushed to his wife Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), and she said to him: “Fear not, be calm and relax. Allah will not let you suffer any humiliation, because you are kind to your relatives, you speak the truth, you assist anyone in need, you are hospitable to your guests and you help in every just cause.”
Actually if the refugee is oppressed and prejudiced against in his land and he flees to other place, seeking refuge, it is something very recommended and praiseworthy in Islam, unless it contradicts some agreements between Muslims and other nations or clashes with a general rule of Shari’ah.
another basis for defending the rights of the refugee is that Islam is a religion of justice and kindness. Allah says in the Qur’an: [Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.] (An-Nahl 16: 90)
So long as the refugee commits no crime, it is the duty of Muslims to defend him on the basis of justice and showing kindness.
Moreover,Dr. Taha Jaber Al-`Alawani,former president of the Fiqh Council of North America, adds:
Islam teaches Muslims to host and accommodate grief-stricken Muslims who are forced to leave their home or country; we have to help them rebuild themselves in the new environment. It is part of the Muslim’s duties to help others regardless of whether these refugees are Muslims or non-Muslims. For the case of Muslims, it very clear that the Quran says, [Surely, the Believers are brothers] (Al-Hujurat: 10)
also Allah says: [The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another] (At-Tawbah 49: 71)
For non-Muslims, Allah says in Surat Al-Insan: [And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive] (Al-Insan 76: 8)
If you look at Islamic history you find that as part of Islamic tradition in every corner of the Muslim world they used to take care of people in need and provide them whatever they want.
the awqaf or the endowments’ system in different parts of the Ummah includes refugees as part of the beneficiaries from that waqf.
Unfortunately in the time being, Muslims are a major part of the refugees. A lot of Muslim states do not care about that. And in some cases some of these refugees are unfortunately turned back to the tyrants chasing them. This is due to the fact that most Muslim states nowadays have abandoned Islamic traditions.