⭑ Islam, Nationalism, and the Human Instincts: A Comparative Analysis ⭑
Islam acknowledges and validates human emotions within their natural boundaries. Emotions such as love for one’s tribe, language, region, or nation are inherent in human nature. The Shariah does not negate these feelings; rather, it defines their correct direction and limits, ensuring that they do not lead to injustice or corruption.
➤ Permissible Affection:
Loving one's nation, language, or region is a natural human tendency, and Shariah does not deem it impermissible.
➤ Asabiyyah (Partisan Chauvinism):
When this love leads to the violation of others' rights or drives a person to commit injustice, it becomes blameworthy. As mentioned in the narrations cited by Ibn Muflih, love for one's people does not automatically equate to Asabiyyah.
While human associations with tribe, language, and region are ancient and natural, modern nationalism is a completely new and artificial concept, opposed to natural human divisions.
➤ Modern Nations:
Contemporary states may split people of one language, ethnicity, or region into separate nations, as seen in the partition of the subcontinent. Alternatively, they may group distant and unrelated communities into one nation, as in the case of India.
➤ Disregard for Nature:
The modern state's concept of nationhood is based on material interests, not emotional or natural human connections. Under this model, natural relationships and sentiments are destroyed.
➤ The Ummah:
Islam’s concept of Ummah is a noble and sacred unity, where natural emotions are sacrificed for religious values. This concept originates from religion and aligns with human nature. As Iqbal beautifully expressed:
“Break the idols of race and blood, and immerse yourself into the Ummah.”
➤ Nationalism:
Modern nationalism is a unity based on material interests, where natural instincts like ethnicity, language, and culture are sacrificed—without any higher religious or moral purpose.
➤ Fragile Unity:
Nationalism can be formed or dissolved at will, as seen in the cases of Kashmir and Palestine.
➤ Material Motives:
Its driving force is material gain, not human welfare or religious purpose.
The foundation of Pakistan rests upon “La Ilaha Illallah”, which offers an indivisible and eternal bond.
➤ Islamic Unity:
This unity is based on Islam, through which Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochis, and Pashtuns remain brothers.
➤ The Challenge of Nationalism:
Nationalists present an empty concept of the nation, lacking any strong ideological base. When people of various ethnicities are told they form one nation, they naturally question:
“On what foundation is this nationalism based?”
Muslim nations, including Pakistan, face both internal and external threats, wherein Asabiyyah and secular ideologies are used to weaken Islamic unity.
➤ Internal Dangers:
Attempts to instigate conflict among ethnic groups based on nationalism.
➤ External Interference:
Global powers conspire to divide Muslim nations using ethnic biases and Asabiyyah.
➤ Islamic Collectivism:
This unity respects human emotions but calls for their sacrifice in the pursuit of higher religious objectives.
➤ Future Imperative:
Countries like Pakistan must strengthen their collective unity on the foundation of Tawheed, to resist internal strife and external conspiracies.
❖ Islam: A Comprehensive Religion and Guardian of Natural Instincts
Islam acknowledges and validates human emotions within their natural boundaries. Emotions such as love for one’s tribe, language, region, or nation are inherent in human nature. The Shariah does not negate these feelings; rather, it defines their correct direction and limits, ensuring that they do not lead to injustice or corruption.
✦ The Difference Between Natural Emotions and Asabiyyah (Partisan Bias)
➤ Permissible Affection:
Loving one's nation, language, or region is a natural human tendency, and Shariah does not deem it impermissible.
➤ Asabiyyah (Partisan Chauvinism):
When this love leads to the violation of others' rights or drives a person to commit injustice, it becomes blameworthy. As mentioned in the narrations cited by Ibn Muflih, love for one's people does not automatically equate to Asabiyyah.
✿ Human Instincts vs. Modern Nationalism
While human associations with tribe, language, and region are ancient and natural, modern nationalism is a completely new and artificial concept, opposed to natural human divisions.
➤ Modern Nations:
Contemporary states may split people of one language, ethnicity, or region into separate nations, as seen in the partition of the subcontinent. Alternatively, they may group distant and unrelated communities into one nation, as in the case of India.
➤ Disregard for Nature:
The modern state's concept of nationhood is based on material interests, not emotional or natural human connections. Under this model, natural relationships and sentiments are destroyed.
◈ The Difference Between the Ummah and Nationalism
➤ The Ummah:
Islam’s concept of Ummah is a noble and sacred unity, where natural emotions are sacrificed for religious values. This concept originates from religion and aligns with human nature. As Iqbal beautifully expressed:
“Break the idols of race and blood, and immerse yourself into the Ummah.”
➤ Nationalism:
Modern nationalism is a unity based on material interests, where natural instincts like ethnicity, language, and culture are sacrificed—without any higher religious or moral purpose.
✔ Flaws in Nationalism
➤ Fragile Unity:
Nationalism can be formed or dissolved at will, as seen in the cases of Kashmir and Palestine.
➤ Material Motives:
Its driving force is material gain, not human welfare or religious purpose.
❀ Pakistan’s Ideology and the Nationalist Challenge
The foundation of Pakistan rests upon “La Ilaha Illallah”, which offers an indivisible and eternal bond.
➤ Islamic Unity:
This unity is based on Islam, through which Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochis, and Pashtuns remain brothers.
➤ The Challenge of Nationalism:
Nationalists present an empty concept of the nation, lacking any strong ideological base. When people of various ethnicities are told they form one nation, they naturally question:
“On what foundation is this nationalism based?”
✦ Asabiyyah, Secularism, and Contemporary Threats
Muslim nations, including Pakistan, face both internal and external threats, wherein Asabiyyah and secular ideologies are used to weaken Islamic unity.
➤ Internal Dangers:
Attempts to instigate conflict among ethnic groups based on nationalism.
➤ External Interference:
Global powers conspire to divide Muslim nations using ethnic biases and Asabiyyah.
✔ Islam’s Solution: Unity Based on Tawheed (Monotheism)
➤ Islamic Collectivism:
This unity respects human emotions but calls for their sacrifice in the pursuit of higher religious objectives.
➤ Future Imperative:
Countries like Pakistan must strengthen their collective unity on the foundation of Tawheed, to resist internal strife and external conspiracies.
References
- Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat: 13
- Ibn Muflih, Collection of Hadiths
- Allama Iqbal, Poetic References
- Historical analysis of the Partition of India
- Political examples: Kashmir, Palestine, India
- Contemporary debates on secular nationalism
