The phenomenon of nationalism is one of the issues that has attracted significant attention in recent history. This phenomenon, exacerbated by colonialism, has led to divisions within Islamic societies and has caused separation and differences between nations. Nationalism, as a form of racial, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and national prejudice, is in conflict with Islamic principles and laws. This is because nationalism often entails claiming the superiority of one nation over others, which contradicts the principles of unity and solidarity in Islam. In this article, we will examine the phenomenon of nationalism from the perspective of Islam and discuss why we should not surrender to it. Before delving into nationalism, it is important to consider the history of nationalism, its definition, and concepts such as nation, identity, and state.
Nationalism is one of the ideologies that originated in the West and spread to distant and nearby regions over time. This ideology is often regarded as one of the harmful aspects of colonialism. By promoting nationalism, Western powers were able to undermine the unity and cohesion of Muslims and divide Islamic countries by creating various differences and divisions. Nationalism is one of the means through which colonialism has influenced people.
The intention behind this promotion was to encourage individuals across the Islamic world to focus on ties based on language, ethnicity, and other factors, regardless of religious affiliation, and to strive towards these connections. This article aims to examine the phenomenon of nationalism from an Islamic perspective and to explain why we should resist this ideology.
To begin, we will explore the history and definition of nationalism, as well as the meanings of related concepts such as “nation,” “identity,” and “state.” Additionally, we will discuss the place of nationalism within Islam, the reactions of Islamic scholars to this ideology, and the historical context of the Islamic world’s acceptance of nationalism.
Throughout history, Muslims have maintained a united, integrated, and coherent stance. This unity provided them with authority, power, and strength, allowing them to support one another for many years and protect themselves from the attacks of their longstanding enemies. However, those who opposed Islam, unable to tolerate or comprehend this unity and cohesion among Muslims, and incapable of defeating them through direct confrontation, resorted to one of the most dangerous weapons: a strategy that effectively divided the united nation into different ethnic groups and factions. As a result, each group began to focus on its own people, language, and race, often prioritizing their interests above all else. This ominous phenomenon deeply troubled the Islamic nation and is regarded as one of the greatest threats in the history of Islam.
In this article, we aim to discuss the phenomenon of division and explore its various dimensions through a research-based approach. Our investigation of numerous books and articles reveals that nationalism is understood in Persian as nationalism, ethnicity, patriotism, and love of country. However, in this article, we will primarily focus on the term’s “nationalism” and “ethnicity.”
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