Consequences and Negative Effects of the Phenomenon of Nationalism on the World
Preface: We have previously discussed the consequences and negative effects of nationalism. In this section and the following sections, we will further explain these effects and consequences and describe in more detail the harms and problems that society faces if this phenomenon emerges. One of the main challenges of nationalism is that this ideology is incompatible with the rule of Islam and Islamic civilization. How nationalism is incompatible with Islamic rule and civilization, as well as the nature of this incompatibility, is a topic we will examine in this initial section before addressing its other consequences.
Contradiction with Islamic Civilization
Why is nationalism incompatible with Islamic civilization? Because nationalism denies Islamic civilization, which is based on the teachings of Islam—a civilization that brings together all people in all parts of the world in a single system, regardless of gender, color, or language. This civilization includes all groups and ethnicities that have played a role in its establishment and flourishing, whether Arab or non-Arab, white or black. Islamic civilization is based on foundations such as divinity, justice, human brotherhood, counsel, equality, stability, balance between public and private interests, mercy, and peace.
Islam recognizes every Muslim who contributes to the progress of this civilization, regardless of ethnicity or place of residence, as a member of this great system. This great religion gives humans an honor and dignity rooted in their affiliation with Islam.
In contrast, nationalists (especially Arabs) consider Islamic civilization to be exclusive to their ethnicity. When they speak about Islamic civilization, they attribute it only to the “Arab nation.” This approach not only distorts the truth of Islamic civilization but also ignores the achievements of other Muslim nations.
Contradictions with Islamic Sovereignty
Nationalism is an imported ideology that has nothing to do with Islamic beliefs. Islam does not allow Muslims to derive their beliefs and values from non-Islamic sources. Muslims are obliged to determine their methodology and way of life solely on the basis of the Quran and Sunnah, as Islam is the chosen and complete religion of Allah that covers all aspects of human life and meets human needs and desires.
Muslims do not need nationalism to solve problems, unite, preserve lands, and expel invaders because Islam has provided comprehensive and practical programs for all these issues.
Islam defines a true Muslim as one who fully believes in the validity and worthiness of Islamic law at all times and places, obeys its commands, and submits to its sovereignty. This fact is confirmed in many verses of the Holy Quran.
Allah the Almighty says: «وَمَن یَبْتَغِ غَیْرَ الإِسْلاَمِ دِینًا فَلَن یُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِی الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِینَ» Translation: “Whoever chooses a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the losers.”
And in another place, He says: «أَفَحُکْمَ الْجَاهِلِیَّةِ یَبْغُونَ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حُکْمًا لِقَوْمٍ یُوقِنُونَ» Translation: “Do they seek the rules of the days of ignorance? And who is better in ruling than Allah for a people who are certain?”
In Surah Al-Ahzab, He says: «وما کان لمؤمن ولا مؤمنة إذا قضی الله ورسوله أمراً أن یکون لهم الخیرة من أمرهم» Translation: “It is not for any believing man or woman to have any choice in their actions when Allah, the Exalted, and His Messenger, peace be upon him, have decreed a matter.”
In Surah An-Nahl, it is stated: «ونزلنا علیک الکتاب تبیاناً لکل شیء وهدی ورحمة وبشری للمسلمین» Translation: “And We have sent down to you the Book as a clarification for everything, and as a guidance, mercy, and good news for the Muslims.”
These verses emphasize that the most valid religion in the sight of Allah, the Exalted, is the religion of Islam. Whoever chooses a religion, belief, or faith other than Islam will suffer loss, and their belief or faith will not benefit them at all.
However, nationalists have a deep distance from religion, to the extent that their elders say: “The Arab Muslim has two religions: Islam and nationalism, while the Arab Christian has two religions: Christianity and nationalism.” From their perspective, the common point between Christians and Muslims that unites them is nationalism. In other words, nationalism holds a status equivalent to religion for them.
It is clear that calling for nationalism is an ignorant call and that it is not permissible to attribute it to Islam in any case. Cooperation with nationalists is also not permissible according to Islamic law; it is necessary to confront this phenomenon because Islamic law has issued an order to fight such deviations.
Nationalists explicitly call people to secularism by promoting ethnocentrism and nationalism. The goal of secularism is to separate religion from the state and eliminate Islamic law from people’s lives; this view is outright blasphemy and carries with it clear misguidance.
