Nationalism VS Brotherhood in Islam

These days we might encounter tragic wars in every part of the world amongst the Moslems, we often wonder why we Moslems can’t be united. Why is this happening? Allah SAW has sent Islam with Heavenly Rules, it’s not only arranging the process of praying and worshipping but also for arranging the relationship between people, nations and communities so that they can govern themselves with Islam. Allah has created mankind in diversity, not to instigate the war and proving which nation, which tribe, which community is the best amongst all. It is none other than to make us learn from each other and it should have open our eyes and realize that behind all of the differencies we have, we have 1 thing in common, it is our deen, Islam, therefore it should have strengthen our bond instead of weaken them. Through Islam there will be a good relationship between and amongst people. Nationalism itself is an alien concept in Islam because it calls for unity based on family and tribalistic ties, whereas Islam binds people together on the`Aqeedah, that is to believe in Allah SAW and Prophet Muhammad SAW. Islam calls for the ideological bond and most people all over the world have the same ideological bond to unite us.

It is sad to see these days how Moslems take more pride in their nationality rather than their deen, even when I came to Islamic chat room I could find Moslems abusing their Moslem brothers, start comparing which nation is the best and then boasting about the superiority of their nation comparing to others. I have written in my earlier post which calls for my fellow countrymen to unite and take more pride in our nationality. I did not mean this as a call to mock other nation since they are different from ours; this is none other to unite amongst ourselves in a small scale. When we are talking in a larger scale, i.e the whole world, then we have to make our priority. I was saying in my earlier post that before we are a citizen of each nation, we are first a human being who submits to Allah’s rules, so before we are the citizen of a nation, firstly we are the humble servant of Allah who has testified and make a pledge to Allah to serve HIM and obey HIM. So, one should not take more pride in their language, culture or even customs. It meant nothing infront of Allah. It has been a common sense that when there are more than 2 people speak in the same rooom doing a conversation, and other’s could not understand what are we saying, it is best to switch the language everybody could understand and therefore they could contribute more to the conversation. I have seen and observing how even a language could create such a tremendous problem and calls for a separation between the Ummah. We let Shaitan sneak in and build hatred amongst self. Shaitan always likes to come in between people in order to bring enmity among them. He loves to plant jealousy and envy that would bring about enmity among the children of Adam. He is trying to bring every bad thing into order to destroy them. Every Fitna comes from Shaitan and from the people who follow Shaitan from every direction. When they follow Shaitan even the nations will become enemies to each other, even small things make us fight and separating ourselves from the bond of Brotherhood in Islam. Allah SWT the Creator does not use the color or mother tongue of people to judge them be they Arab or not. Instead, it is the level of their awareness of Allah which is the criterion. Allah has even mention this in surah Al Hujurat :

[49:13] O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”

Allah SWT does not make a nation superior to others; in HIS eyes all are equal. HE won’t judge you and put you in a special place due to your nationality, HE judge people by their deeds, amal and taqwa. The Arabs are no less special than others who were born a non Arab. The choice of Arabic as the language of the Qur'an is explained very simply and clearly as follows in surah Fussilah :

[41:44] And if We (Allah) had made it a Qur'an in a foreign tongue, they would certainly have said: "Why have not its communications been made clear? What! a foreign (tongue) and an Arab!" Say: It is, to those who believe, a guidance and a healing; and (as for) those who do not believe, there is a heaviness in their ears and it is obscure to them; these shall be called to from a far-off place.

There is no nationality in Islam; Allah SAW says that all believers are brothers and sisters to each other. Never say and addressed ourself a citizen of a nation and be proud of it more than our pride to be a Moslem. Do not say I am a Turk, I am an Arab, I am Kurdish, I am a British or I am an Indonesian. No, we are believers, we are submitters, we are Muslims and there is no other honour of being something above this. I am no better than you for being an Indonesian and neither are you for being something else. We, as Moslems are ordered to walk on the right path, and to follow the right path, a careful and wise steps are needed in order not to get lost and strayed into the wrong path. A wrong step could misguide and mislead you to the damnation. And if we consider this life’s torment as bizarre, then try to think of what will the torment in eternal hellfire would be.

"O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam with complete submission to Allah. And hold fast, all of you 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 were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace you became brothers; and you were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah make His signs clear to you that you may be guided." [Surah Al'Imran (3); ayah 102-103]

It is to be understood that in the verses quoted above Allah SWT has ordered the Muslims to hold fast to the book of Allah, His Deen, and to his covenant, and He has forbidden the Muslims to divide amongst themselves and to dispute with each other. Tribal ties have no place in Islam. Muslims are commanded to stick together and not to disassociate themselves from each other just because they come from different tribes. Prophet Muhammad also said,

"The believers, in their love, mutual kindness, and close ties, are like one body; when any part complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever." [HR. Muslim].

Meaning that the Muslims, regardless of their nationality and origin, are one Ummah and they cannot be separated from each other. No tribalistic ties should ever break their unity. My brothers and sister, our time in this world is temporary. One day surely death shall come to us and time to answer for what have we done in the world has arrived. Therefore be careful and think about how you will be addressed by Allah SAW on the Day of Judgment, on the Day of Resurrection. For he won’t ask what nation were u belong to, instead HE will ask what is your religion, and there will be no place for the nationalism pride to take place. Hold on to the rope of Islam; make Islam our one and only pride. May Allah guide us all and unite us. Ameen.