Made in China: Between Admiration and Criticism

This weekend on 8 February 2026, social media was abuzz with news of an Islamic place of worship, a mosque, being built in China. A video post circulating online drew widespread attention, prompting me to recall a well-known Islamic saying: ‘Seek knowledge even unto China’.

Many have questioned whether this phrase is a prophetic hadith or merely the opinion of scholars. Some reluctance to label it as a hadith may stem from reservations about the ethnicity or nation involved. Hadith experts such as Imam Al-Sakhawi, Imam Al-Baihaqi, and Ibn Hibban agree the phrase is not a sound hadith; some classify it as weak (dhaif), while others note it lacks a proper chain of transmission, making it more accurately a well-known scholarly saying rather than the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Nevertheless, its meaning remains valuable: seeking knowledge is obligatory regardless of location. As explained by Imam Abdullah Al-Haddad, ‘China’ in this phrase symbolises the farthest and most inaccessible place, representing an unbounded spirit of learning.

Regardless of the debate over the phrase’s authenticity, its implication has become a tangible reality. China now dominates various global sectors. Evidence is everywhere: from food products, cosmetics, and electronics to Islamic worship items, all bearing the mark of Chinese labour.

Daily-use items such as jubah robes, kopiah caps, prayer mats, and turbans often bear ‘Made in China’ labels. This aligns with Allah’s words in Surah Saba, verse 28: ‘And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to all the worlds.’ This verse teaches that Islam and its benevolent influence spread globally, unrestricted by geography or ethnicity.

Moreover, reports indicate Islam is growing rapidly in China, evidenced by numerous new mosques and an increasing Muslim population. This fulfils Allah’s promise in Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 107: ‘And We have not sent you except as a mercy to all the worlds.’

Thus, Allah’s mercy and guidance have reached the once-distant land. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported in Sahih Muslim to have said: ‘Allah will gather the entire world so that I may see its eastern and western parts, and He will grant my ummah dominion over the whole earth,’ signifying the spread of Islam and places of worship across the globe.