[/b] Nationalism[b]

Amongst the many trials and tribulations faced by Muslims today, there is the disease of Nationalism. This is to believe that one is superior just by the mere fact that they reside in a certain part of the world, to see their race, culture and traditions to be far better with no basis from the Shari'ah. Allah (swt) tells us why He created us different, so we can recognise each other.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَى وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا
O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another [EMQ 49:13]

People are elevated by Islam

The verse continues to say that only those who have taqwa (fear of Allah) which is a sign of belief are elevated in the yes of Allah (swt).

إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. [EMQ 49:13]

Simple patriotic sentiments, so long as they do not contravene the higher conviction of man is permissible in Islam, like the affection one feels towards one's father, son and family. But as already shown, nationalism does not stop at simple sentiments. It is a socio-political creed and an actual way of life which aims at a full control of man's individual and social conduct. Islam, too, being a school having its own independent, spiritual, practical, political and social system and comprising a particular set of beliefs, it naturally comes into conflict with the school of nationalism.

Unlike other religions such as Christianity, Buddhism etc, Islam is not confined to religious rites and metaphysical convictions. Had Islam been only a religion of devotions, it might have agreed with nationalism. But Islam is a religion with asocial and philosophical worldview, and provides for economic and political principles. Nationalism, too, has its own social and political principles based however on different beliefs and criteria. Therefore, conflict between Islam and nationalism is inevitable. The Islamic ideology is not compatible with any other ideology on the question of sovereignty over the private and social life of Muslims. A Muslim cannot at the same time be a Muslim and a polytheist, or a Muslim and communist. In Islam, there is no room for one to be a loyal and genuine nationalist. It is a question of identity, and one negates the other.

Nationalism is incompatible with Islam, both schools having two opposite ideologies. These two assume two totally opposite poles in their spirit, essence, direction and goal.

As we shall explain later, the Quran has explicitly rejected the basis of nationalism, and states that language, colour and race are no criteria for unity and privilege. The only criteria are belief and virtue. A common ideology is the basis of the unity of the Islamic ummah, not race, country, language or even culture. The goal of nationalism is to create national units, whereas the goal of Islam is universal unity. To nationalism what matters the most is loyalty and attachment to the homeland, whereas to Islam, it is God and religion. Nationalism gives authenticity to geographical boundaries and racial distinctions, whereas Islam negates them. Nationalism inclines to limitation and race, but Islam assumes a universal outlook.

The Messenger said on his farewell sermon.

"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black have any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action."

The piety and good action referred to here is Islam, as any other action or way of life will be rejected, as Allah (swt) says,

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الإِسْلاَمِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him [EMQ 3:85]

Umar al Khattab said "we are people elevated by Islam, if we chose another way it will only bring disgrace"

Unity amongst Muslims is obligatory

The Muslims are united as one nation, not by blood, nor colour nor race but by following the same deen (religion). This bond of faith is what causes the brotherhood between the believers, as Allah (swt) says,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ
Verily the believers are a brotherhood [EMQ 49:10]

Mujahid, the student of Ibn Abbas (ra) said "this verse is referring exclusively to the Muslims". The Messenger said

"A Muslim to another Muslim is a brother; he does not forsake him nor oppress him"

"The similitude of the Muslims is like one body, if one part suffers the other feels the pain"

"The Muslim Ummah is one at the exclusion of all others, their land is one, their war is one and their peace is one"

With such clear cut evidences dispraising and forbidding the division of the Muslim based upon jahiliyyah (ignorance), one has to think why the Muslim Ummah is in the situation it is today. It is easy just to blame the Muslims and say why they don't practice Islam and why do they allow this to happen. However we also need to look further.

Divide and Rule

Since the advent of Islam there have been many plots to destroy this deen of Allah (swt). Even in the time of the Prophet Muhammad the Mushrikeen (polytheists) of Quraish tried several times to quash the Islamic State in Madinah. Even those residing within Madinah such as the hypocrites and the Jews betrayed the covenant they had with the Prophet (saw) in siding with the enemies of Islam. We should therefore not be surprised that those outside of this brotherhood of Islam will do all they can to destroy it.



We should take lessons from the sayings of the Prophet who severely warned us against nationalism. He said,

"He is not one of us who calls for Asabiyyah, (nationalism/tribalism) or who fights for Asabiyyah or who dies for Asabiyyah."

And in another Hadith, also referring to nationalism, racism, and patriotism He said:

"Leave it, it is rotten."

Only through unity can the Ummah return to its former glory, and be as Allah (swt) called it a leading nation.


REFERENCES
Al-Islam.org. (2017). Islam and Nationalism. Retrieved July 28, 2017 from https://www.al-islam.org/islam-and-nationalism-dr-ali-mohammed-naqvi/part-seven-islam-and-nationalism

Ummah.com. (2017). Natioanlism/ Tribalism. Retrieved July 28, 2018 from http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?180001-quot-He-is-not-one-of-us-who-calls-for-Asabiyyah(nationalism-tribalism)

Maclatunji.