The Prohibition of Nationalism in Islam

Posted by القيسية (Al Qaysiyya)‏ at Sunday, September 13, 2009


Most of the people didn't know what is Nationalism or is it Halal or Haram in Islam. Here i explain more detail about Nationalism in Islam. Hope it help us to understand more about it, jihad for Islam and Allah swt not for Nationalism.

Nationalism is a concept alien to Islam because it calls for unity based onfamily and tribalistic ties, whereas Islam binds people together on the`Aqeedah, that is belief in Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw). Islam calls for the ideological bond.

Grouping the Muslims on tribalistic lines is clearly forbidden. It is narrated by Abu Da'wud that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "He is not one us who calls for `Asabiyyah, (nationalism/tribalism) or whofights for `Asabiyyah or who dies for `Asabiyyah." And in another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (saaw) referring tonationalism, racism, and patriotism said: "Leave it, it is rotten." [Muslim and Bukhari] and in the Hadith recorded in Mishkat al-Masabith, the Messenger of Allah (saaw) said, "He who calls for `Asabiyyah is as if he bit his father's genitals".

Also, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, narrated by At-Tirmidhi and AbuDawud, "There are indeed people who boast of their dead ancestors; but in the sightof Allah they are more contemptible than the black beetle that rolls a pieceof dung with its nose. Behold, Allah has removed from you the arrogance ofthe Time of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) with its boast of ancestral glories. Manis but an Allah-fearing believer or an unfortunate sinner. All people are the children of Adam, and Adam was created out of dust."

Also, the Messenger of Allah (saaw) said,"Undoubtedly Allah has removed from you the pride of arrogance of the age ofJahilliyah (ignorance) and the glorification of ancestors. Now people are oftwo kinds. Either believers who are aware or transgressors who do wrong. Youare all the children of Adam and Adam was made of clay. People should giveup their pride in nations because that is a coal from the coals ofHell-fire. If they do not give this up Allah (swt) will consider them lowerthan the lowly worm which pushes itself through Khara (dung)." [Abu Dawudand Tirmidhi]

There are many examples in the Seerah where the Messenger of Allah (saw) had rebuked those who upheld nationalism. One one occasion a party of Jewsconspired to bring about disunity in the ranks of the Muslims after seeingthe Aus and Khazraj within Islam. A youth from amongst them was sent toincite remembrance of the battle of Bu'ath where the Aus had been victoriousover the Khazraj, and he recited poetry to bring about division betweenthem. As a result there was a call to arms.

When the news reached the Messenger of Allah (saw), he (saw) said,"O Muslims, remember Allah, remember Allah. Will you act as pagans while Iam present with you after Allah has guided you to Islam, and honored youthereby and made a clean break with paganism; delivered you thereby fromdisbelief; and made you friends thereby?"

When they heard this they wept, and embraced each other. This incidentclearly highlights how the Messenger of Allah (saw) rebuked any forms oftribalism. Allah (swt) then revealed,

"O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except ina state of Islam with complete submission to Allah. And hold fast, all ofyou together, to the rope of Allah (i.e. Qur'an), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favors on you; for you wereenemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace you becamebrothers; and you were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved youfrom it. Thus Allah make His signs clear to you that you may be guided."[Surah Al'Imran (3); ayah 102-103]

And those who still uphold nationalism, remember what Allah (swt) says, "And let those who oppose the Messenger's commandment beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials,afflictions,...) befall them or a painful tormentbe inflicted on them." [Surah An-Nur (24): ayah 63]

A Chapter from The Roots of Nationalism in the Muslim World by

Shabir Ahmed and Abid Karim


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