Working in the Name of Nation, Ethnicity, or Arab Identity – What Is the Shar‘ī Ruling?
📚 Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to say: “I am doing this work in the name of the nation”?
What is the ruling on phrases like: “In the name of the homeland, the people, or Arab identity”?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
The permissibility or impermissibility of working or speaking in the name of “watan” (homeland), “qawm” (nation/ethnicity), or “ʿArabiyyah” (Arab identity) depends upon one’s intention and the state of the heart. The detailed explanation is as follows:
➊ If the Intent Is Merely to Refer to the People of a Place
◈ If the person merely refers to his people, countrymen, or Arab community —
◈ For example, he is serving them, representing them, or acting in their interest —
◈ Then using such phrases is permissible and there is no harm in doing so.
➋ If the Intent Is Seeking Blessing (Tabarruk) or Assistance (Istiʿānah)
◈ If a person uses the names of watan, qawm, or ʿArabiyyah with the intention of seeking blessings from them,
◈ Or believes these identities can offer spiritual or supernatural assistance,
◈ Then this practice constitutes a form of shirk (polytheism).
➌ If These Identities Are Glorified in the Heart
◈ If someone harbors undue reverence for concepts like nationalism, ethnicity, or Arab pride,
◈ And attributes to them a status equal to or close to Allah’s attributes or religion,
◈ Then this can escalate to major shirk (shirk akbar) in belief and ideology.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
