~Nationalism and Islam

Nationalism : an overview

It is similar to patriotism, but whilst patriotism could be defined as the love of one’s country, nationalism focuses more on what shape that country should take. Nationalism could be described as the support of a nation, but every nationalist movement has different aims and origins, whether they are desires for autonomy, political representation, or self-preservation.

The beginning of nationalism

The French Revolution marked the beginning of remarkable changes that would affect world history. The most significant impact that the French Revolution brought is that the emergence of political mentalities. One of the example of political mentalities is that the growth of nationalism. In addition to that, nationalism is the French Revolutionary idea of community and equal citizens. The opponents of the monarch called themselves ‘La nation’, meaning by this the community of all French people irrespective of previous title or status. The slogan which is liberty, equality and fraternity personified this idea.( Baylis & Smith, 2005,p.525) As a result, the concept of nation was tied to the principle of equality of the people. This evolution in France was the same as in Americas, north and south.

Nationalism made a significant change in the mentalities of the people not only French people but also the others. The concept of nationalism had been adopted by the entire world. Nationalism has provided a new set of values and also the new system of legitimation for the system of the state. Nationalism has become the component of the state building and also the formation of common identity within societies. Nationalism has established the separated state. Nationalism also has established the European colonial empires. Moreover, nationalism actually provides the realization of democratic principle. Nationalism also brought more conflict among the state and sometimes may lead to war due to the fact that nationalism established the separated state and the realization of democratic principle. In addition, the modern idea of nationalism actually brings more negative impact rather than positive. Take for example the Arab-Israeli conflict; the rise of nationalism is the main factor that causes the conflict.

Nationalism is an ideology in which a people, regardless of their race, class or religion, feel that they have more in common with each other than they have more in common with each other than they have with other people and give their higher loyalty to the state they live in. ( Abdul Rashid Moten & El-Fatih, 2005,p.101). Nationalism encompasses the two phenomena noted at the outset which are , the attitude that the members of a nation have when they care about their identity as members of that nation and the actions that the members of a nation take in seeking to achieve (or sustain) some form of political sovereignty. ( Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).

Islamic view on Nationalism
Islamic Nationalism

Allah creates people in nations and tribes. The wisdom behind it is that they know each other and explore their particular cultures and backgrounds. This variety should never be a source of difference or disagreement or fighting between each other, rather, it should be united in one faith or in other word, it should be rely upon the faith to be united. Allah said in the Quran "O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another." (Al-Hujurat: 13). Almighty Allah also says: "And if thy Lord had willed, He verily would have made mankind one nation, yet they cease not differing, save him on whom thy Lord hath mercy; and for that He did create them." (Hud: 118-119) .

In Islam we live as a brother and sister. We are ‘ummah wahidah, ummah, refer to the community of believers. The term is used to describe both individual communities, both great and small, of faithful Muslims and to refer to the world-wide community of believers. Muslims should strengthen the relationship between each other and always rely on faith. We should not rely upon races or over reacting on certain believes and cultures or races or any other differences but must rely on the true teaching of Quran and Sunnah. According to Yusof Al-Qardawi, he points out that we should not give the priority over anything else, but only to Allah and His Massenger.

He also points out that the natural outcome of nationalism then will be that people will give their cause a higher place than any other consideration. That is why we find that Arab nationalists give priority to Arabs over non-Arabs and even forget about any religious bonds. This goes contrary to the clear words of the Qur'an that state: "The believers are naught else than brothers." (Al-Hujurat: 10) The Qur'an commands us clearly to cast aside all considerations or links once they come in contradiction with Islam and the bond of Islam. Allah says: "O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith." (At-Tawbah: 23).

In addition to that, nationalism according to him separated religion from the state which is totally contradicted with the teaching of Quran and the Sunnah. Islam did practice nationalism, but in a sense of how it is perceived. It is how Muslims strengthen their relationship as a Muslims ummah that must be based on the teaching of Islam. Moreover , grouping the Muslims according to races skin color, and also cultures is clearly forbidden. It is narrated by Abu Da'wud that the Prophet (PBUH) said

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

By Nor Hazwani Bt Mat Rashid