Why Islam Prohibits Nationalism?
Content
What is Nationalism
Features of Nationalism
Why Islam is Against Nationalism
Conclusion
Features of Nationalism
Why Islam is Against Nationalism
Conclusion
What is Nationalism?
Islam has prohibited tribalism or asabiyya. Tribalism is the ancestor of nationalism. Tribalism was the key factor why pagan Arabia was violent and brutal. Prophet came with Islam to eradicate this tribalism but even though Islam succeeded against paganism tribalism continued. Today tribalistic gulf rulers are also the major reason of Muslim suffering world-wide.
Tribalism, nationalism and racism, an ethical philosophy which states moral actions as right and wrong, good and bad based on what empowers and supports the racial or national or tribal cohesion and survival irrespective of the consequences and rationality of such actions. Since nationalists see national strength as the only thing that makes a nation "good," nationalists will use any means necessary to achieve that goal.
White supremacy is one form of nationalism and racism which has abused Bible and science to further white racial superiority and empowerment. Hindutva is another form of nationalism and racism (as Savarkar founder of Hindu nationalism called Hindus a race!) which has exploited Hinduism. Modern slogan such as “for sake of national interest” has been used to commits wars, war crimes, massacre and all sorts of unjust and unfair economic, political and social activities. US patriot act is one example or the Nazi Germany’s Gestapo activities another example or India’s RSS activities another example.
Tribalism, nationalism and racism, an ethical philosophy which states moral actions as right and wrong, good and bad based on what empowers and supports the racial or national or tribal cohesion and survival irrespective of the consequences and rationality of such actions. Since nationalists see national strength as the only thing that makes a nation "good," nationalists will use any means necessary to achieve that goal.
White supremacy is one form of nationalism and racism which has abused Bible and science to further white racial superiority and empowerment. Hindutva is another form of nationalism and racism (as Savarkar founder of Hindu nationalism called Hindus a race!) which has exploited Hinduism. Modern slogan such as “for sake of national interest” has been used to commits wars, war crimes, massacre and all sorts of unjust and unfair economic, political and social activities. US patriot act is one example or the Nazi Germany’s Gestapo activities another example or India’s RSS activities another example.
Features of Nationalism
Nationalism is the political face of racism. Nationalism and racism are interlinked. Nationalism gives geographical identity for a racial people who have become racists. Nationalism is thus followed by xenophobia and racism. Nationalism is based on propaganda and lie as they have always used propaganda and lie to further their xenophobia and racism. Examples will be foreigners’ threat to native demography or job industry even though data shows otherwise, even though foreigners are better at times in jobs than natives. Nationalism is also implicit shirk (polytheism) as they equate God, king and country as a trinitarian authority and validation of national existence. They portray these in the same level and authority with each other. Nationalist will also remember their country often as if they owe their existence to their country and not God. Nationalists are also blind to their country’s wrongs and evils.
Why Islam is Against Nationalism?
Two major Quranic proofs that Islam is against nationalism are Quran’s obligation towards the oppressed and towards justice and rule of law. Nationalism will never pursue justice and freedom for the oppressed as these are detrimental to their racial and national status quo. Nationalists are apathetic towards the suffering of foreigners and abuse of justice. However, Quran is against these as clearly pointed out in Quran 4:135 and Quran 4:75.
Quran 4:135 “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.”
Quran rejects family and blood preferences when it comes to doing justice for the wronged and the oppressed. Race, country, class or tribe are even more befitting to be rejected to uphold justice and equity.
Quran 4:75 “And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?”
Quran obligates war to help the oppressed. This altruistic goal of Quran is against the selfish goal of nationalism which sees war as a way to colonize, subjugate and plunder others for national and racial empowerment. So, while Quran obligates to sacrifice finance and well-being of Islamic establishment for the sake of oppressed against the oppressors, nationalism obligates to sacrifice others for sake of their own selves and their identity.
Quran 4:135 “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.”
Quran rejects family and blood preferences when it comes to doing justice for the wronged and the oppressed. Race, country, class or tribe are even more befitting to be rejected to uphold justice and equity.
Quran 4:75 “And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?”
Quran obligates war to help the oppressed. This altruistic goal of Quran is against the selfish goal of nationalism which sees war as a way to colonize, subjugate and plunder others for national and racial empowerment. So, while Quran obligates to sacrifice finance and well-being of Islamic establishment for the sake of oppressed against the oppressors, nationalism obligates to sacrifice others for sake of their own selves and their identity.
Conclusion
Islam’s call is universal while nationalism and racism are always bound to a certain people. Islam is sourced from God while nationalism is sourced from the whims of racial people who want their dominance and arrogance. Islam proposes rational freedom and balanced inclusivity while nationalism shuns all forms of inclusivity and freedom as it sees foreigners (citizens or races) are threat and detrimental to native empowerment and survival. Nationalism makes use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia and flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays where as Islam rejects idolism and veneration of idolatry and materialism.
So a Muslim's primary identity is by his religion, not by his race or ethnicity or tribe and neither by the culture resulted from such. When Muslim makes the latter primary it creates division and divisiveness in the mind which is an erosion and potential disuniting factor of the Ummah. We see this in the hadith where Prophet forbade such secular identity:
We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) in a expedition. A large number of emigrants joined him and among the emigrants there was a person who used to play jokes (or play with spears); so he (jokingly) stroked an Ansari man on the hip. The Ans-ari got so angry that both of them called their people. The Ansari said, "Help, O Ansar!" And the emigrant said "Help, O emigrants!" The Prophet (ﷺ) came out and said, "What is wrong with the people (as they are calling) this call of the period of Ignorance? "Then he said, "What is the matter with them?" So he was told about the stroke of the emigrant to the Ansari. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Stop this (i.e. appeal for help) for it is an evil call”...(Bukhari)
We see the Sahabas from Muhajir and Ansar group turned to nationalism and tribalism in the presence of the Prophet. The prophet came to Medina and made a brotherhood among them but these Sahabas from both groups forgot it. This nationalism based on ethnic/racial/tribal identity has been destroying the ummah since the passing away of the Prophet and today Muslim geopolitics has been based and exploited by westerners based on this Muslim division. So a Muslim must minimally participate and make us of his racial/ethnic/tribal identity rather maximize the participation and use of his Islamic identity that is based on the laws and values of Quran, Sunnah and the pious ancestors.
So a Muslim's primary identity is by his religion, not by his race or ethnicity or tribe and neither by the culture resulted from such. When Muslim makes the latter primary it creates division and divisiveness in the mind which is an erosion and potential disuniting factor of the Ummah. We see this in the hadith where Prophet forbade such secular identity:
We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) in a expedition. A large number of emigrants joined him and among the emigrants there was a person who used to play jokes (or play with spears); so he (jokingly) stroked an Ansari man on the hip. The Ans-ari got so angry that both of them called their people. The Ansari said, "Help, O Ansar!" And the emigrant said "Help, O emigrants!" The Prophet (ﷺ) came out and said, "What is wrong with the people (as they are calling) this call of the period of Ignorance? "Then he said, "What is the matter with them?" So he was told about the stroke of the emigrant to the Ansari. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Stop this (i.e. appeal for help) for it is an evil call”...(Bukhari)
We see the Sahabas from Muhajir and Ansar group turned to nationalism and tribalism in the presence of the Prophet. The prophet came to Medina and made a brotherhood among them but these Sahabas from both groups forgot it. This nationalism based on ethnic/racial/tribal identity has been destroying the ummah since the passing away of the Prophet and today Muslim geopolitics has been based and exploited by westerners based on this Muslim division. So a Muslim must minimally participate and make us of his racial/ethnic/tribal identity rather maximize the participation and use of his Islamic identity that is based on the laws and values of Quran, Sunnah and the pious ancestors.
