Is Patriotism Evil?
Love for one’s country or nation is not evil within itself, however, when it crosses the boundaries into harboring hatred for others, or gets in the way of siding with the truth then it becomes evil. Please consider the following verses of the Quran. Quran 4:135 Translation by Asad O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in upholding equity , bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God , even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinsfolk . Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over [the claims of] either of them. Do not, then, follow your own desires, lest you swerve from justice: for if you distort [the truth], behold, God is indeed aware of all that you do! Quran 5:8 Translation by Asad O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of any-one lead you into the sin of deviating from justice . Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do.