Ibn Majah

1؎: In the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), every tribe would fight against another tribe out of egotism and the spirit of partisanship, and pride, arrogance, and haughtiness would incite them to killing and combat. They would give and take lives for the fame and honor of their tribe. Thus, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said that in the era of Islam, whoever fights without a legitimate (shar‘i) cause, his ruling is the same as that of the people of Jahiliyyah; that is, there is no reward in such fighting, rather there will be punishment. And the meaning of “the banner of misguidance” is precisely this: that there is neither an imam according to the Shari‘ah, nor is the jihad in accordance with the principles and regulations of the Shari‘ah, but rather, if someone fights merely to uphold the pride of his people and is killed, then such a fighter will have no reward. Subhan Allah, how could any religion be better than the religion of Islam? Every person loves his own people, but in Islam, the command is that one may help his people only so long as they are not oppressors, and their actions are in accordance with justice and the Shari‘ah. But when the people become oppressors and commit injustice and excess against others, then one should distance himself from such a people; this is the demand of faith (iman). And one should support those who are just, fair, and followers of the Shari‘ah, and consider only them as his people and group.