MY FELLOW MUSLIMS: Is being Nationalistic or Patriotic a sin?

Question

As far as I am concerned, I know it is because having pride in anything other than Islam is a sin. 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 These days, with many "Independence days" rolling around I see extreme patriotism from some fellow Brothers and Sister.. including some in my family and it really angers me.

BUT I wanted to know if I am right or wrong, because anytime I tried correcting someone they said I am wrong, and it's ok to celebrate and be patriotic (even though that's pride in something other than Allah and Islam).

So what are your thoughts and opinions. Be advised I have nothing against people and what they do I still love everyone. I just wanted to make sure what I believe about this situation is correct.

Thanks!
~ACU

Answer 1

Assalamualaikum sister,

It depends on what cause the nationalism or patriotism are based to... if it is towards upholding and preserving the Islamic principles, syariah and rules as prescribed by Allah SWT (provided that the means to achieve it are within the boundaries of shariah), then it would be an error to judge nationalism and patriotism as a sin.

Islam is a way of life....not secularism. Patriotism and nationalism are valuable tools and means for successful nation building. They are part of our life. Anything in life that is directed towards "Lillahi Taala" are considered as amal maaruf as long as the rules of shariah are complied with.

However it is our duty to sway/ leave from a particular patriotism and nationalism whenever the root cause no longer supports upholding and preserving the Islamic principles, syariah and rules as prescribed by Allah SWT, or the means of achieving it are contravening the very principles that we embrace (Lillahi Taala).

Wallahualam.

Answer 2

Well for a start our God, being great enough to create both the Heavens and Man would be unlikely to inform only one small "nation" of people, but would insist upon observance by all. Therefor he did! Because they were distanced by culture and geography they have all retained a different (and corrupted) version of these original teachings. In which case tis better to love God in "humility" and recognize that anyone else, no matter their background that shares that same love... have much in common with you! "Pride" in either your nation or your religion entails "ignoring" the fact that you have more in common with those like minded individuals than many who share either your nation or your religion.
And IGNORANCE is a sin! PRIDE is also a sin! Any good hearted, "thinking" human that does not need to read this to know it already....has much in common with me! Hello brothers and sisters, we are familiar (family). Amon

Answer 3

I'd say no as long as religion is first. But it depends on your defintion too of patriotic.

If people blindly say their country is the best and they'll do whatever the government says no matter what.....i don't find that to be patriotic.

If the government is doing something that goes against what the country stands for and you speak out against them, i find that to be patriotic.

Example, if american decided to attack canada for its oil and diamonds (yeah they have diamonds).....and you were in the american armed forces. It'd be patriotic to refuse to fight, even if canda launched a counter-attack already.

I sorta have more of a world view on things though. I'm happy here in america and don't plan to leave, but if i got an awesome job in another country, i'd have no problems going there.

Think its important too, to not be patriotic due to being born in the country or living there, but for agreeing with what it stands for....i don't konw how to word that.

Answer 4

I'm not a Muslim, but it seems this doesn't even have to be a religious issue. In my opinion nationalism seems to divide people more then unite them as one humanity, so nationalism could be considered wrong using basic logic. Throughout history people have dehumanized each other sometimes leading to killing and war because they believe they are part of a superior group when really we are all human and should be united as such.

Answer 5

Allah knows best.I agree with you,there seems to be this sentiments out there where they go over board.E.g.there was one who wish to do the nation proud, but during the event he did failed in his religious obligation(prayers) so how do we comprehend this.In a world like ours there people who put patriotism above Islam.Auanzubillah.

Answer 6

What is discouraged in Islam is to regard yourself as better because you are from a certain country for example when people of the Companions started chanting al aws and others chanted al Khazraj and they were about to get into a fight over it, the Prophet stopped them. That is what is discouraged.

Answer 7

Being patriotic, loving your mother-land, defending your country is not a sin, it's in human nature. You remember when our Holy Prophet (SAW) had to migrate from Makka, he was sad and he said, "Oh Makka! I love you, but your sons do not let me live here!"

It is a qualitiy, in my opinion, patriotism!
But I think it is a sin for a Muslim to fight against a Muslim country, or Muslims.

After migrating to Madina, The Holy Prophet (SAW) made all the Muslims as brothers and sisters. Iqbal says,
"Islam is your country, you are 'mustafawwi'!"
So, I think a Muslim should consider all of the Muslims as his brothers, and should first give importance to his religion.

But for a Muslim, first his religion should be important, then his country.

Answer 8

Islam and Nationalism
by Dr. Ali Muhammad Naqavi

Nationalism is incompatible with Islam, both schools having two opposite ideologies. 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.
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, wllereas in Islam it is God and religion.

Nationalism is closely linked with secularism in view of the necessity of separation between government and religion, and politics from creed. Nationalism leads indirectly to secularism and it changes the meaning of minorities. In a government founded on religion, the followers of other creeds and schools are regarded as minorities, but with nationalism and secularism there are only racial, political and regional minorities.

Religion is the true boundary of nationality. A co-religionist becomes a compatriot, and an unbeliever becomes an alien.

In the school of nationalism, all are brothers and equals, whether they are believers or infidels, pious or evil-doers. But in Islam, a person who does not hold the same belief, has no bond with the Muslims, is not considered an equal, even if he is a 'compatriot'.

Difference of belief loosens the bond of marriage, and if one of the couple converts to Islam or becomes an apostate, their relationship becomes illegitimate. This is also supported by the Quran.

Islam rejects the idea that citizenship depends on birth-place. Islam asserts that it depends of belief.

Unlike nationalism, Islam teaches man not to attach himself to land but to belief, and if necessary, he should leave his homeland and country for the sake of it. Emigration is a fundamental principle in Islam. Emigration is the equivalent of 'Jihad' (Crusade).

In Islam, unlike nationalism, one leaves his homeland for the sake of belief and thus emigration is not only a duty but refusal to emigrate for the sake of belief is a treason. Attachment to a particular land and confining one's activity and loyalty to it is, in Islam, a futile life and act when one's religion and ideology is being threatened.

The idea of a 'nationalist' Muslim is as absurd as that of a 'religious communist' or 'capitalist Marxist'.

When the ideology of Islam expands, nationalism is destroyed, and when nationalism grows, Islam is annihilated.

Answer 9

Our Islamic nationalism supersedes all our Political Nationalism's, specially the present nationalism is mere distribution done by Britishers according to their own interests.

But I don't think to love our sub-Nationalism is a sin, as it is allowed in Islam.
The last Hajj sermon, describes, "Arabs are not superior to Non-Arabs and the none of Non-Arabs superior to Arabs", and in Chapter Al-Hujrat, it is ordered to people of faith (mo'minoon) don't insult one of the nation among you, may be that nation would be better than yours"....
It shows the sub-nations within the main Muslim Ummah are allowed in Islam.

Allah swt. knows better.

Answer 10

My girlfriend explained it very nicely once; she said it is okay to be patriotic, as long as it is not a vanity-induced pride, and you do not put your patriotism before your religion.
Hope I helped. :3

Peace.