Racism, Tribalism, Nationalism: A Call Of Jaahiliyyah
Channel: Javed Khan
Date: 2013-10-17

It is narrated by Abu Dawud that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) said,

"He is not one of us who calls for 'Asabiyyah (Nationalism & Tribalism) or who fights for 'asabiyyah or who dies for 'asabiyyah."

And in another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) referring to Nationalism, Racism, and Patriotism said "Leave it, it is rotten."

{Muslim & Bukhari}


Nationalism in the sense of chauvinism means excessive devotion to a nation, a colour, a race or an ethnic group like Arab nationalism, Turkish nationalism, Indian nationalism or Pakistani nationalism is a sort of Jaahiliyya (ignorant beliefs of the pre-Islamic era).

It is prohibited in Shariah as the person's adherence and devotion should stem from right creed and piety. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {...Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa
[i.e. one of the Muttaqûn (pious)] ...}. [Quran 49:13].

The enemies of Islam succeeded in preparing some men from our own community who call for adherence and devotion on a basis other than religion and belief. These men's adherence is for the language, nation, tribe, the colour of the skin ----. Such a campaign succeeded in gathering many followers. So, one should explain this to people and warn them against it.


The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety." {Mosnad Ahmad, #22978}

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) had spoken about 2 subjects in this hadith, Nationalism & Racism. The major problems which we mankind, we the Muslim Ummah (Muslim Nation), today are facing is Nationalism & Racism.


Explanation of Nationalism in this Hadith:

1. "An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab" indicates..

* An Arab is not superior or better than a Indonesian & a Indonesian is not superior or better than an Arab.

* An Indonesian is not superior or better than a Malaysian & a Malaysian is not superior or better than an Indonesian.

* A Malaysian is not superior or better than a Indian & an Indian is not superior or better than a Malaysian.

* An Indian is not superior or better than a Pakistani & a Pakistani is not superior or better than an Indian.

* A Syrian is not superior or better than an Iranian & an Iranian is not superior or better than a Syrian.

* A Yemeni is not superior or better than a Nigerian & a Nigerian is not superior or better than a Yemeni.

* A Pakistani is not superior or better than an Arab & an Arab is not superior or better than a Pakistani.



Explanation of Racism in this Hadith:

The colors mentioned in this Prophetic saying are examples. The meaning is that in Islam no one is better than another because of his color, whether it is white, black, red, or any other color.



But regret, the Disease of Nationalism, Tribalism and Racism exist in this Muslim Ummah (Muslim Nation) deeply entrenched like a Cancer or HIV.