The Effects of Islamic Religion on Maintaining the Territorial Integrity
(Part 63)
The continuation of the Matter:
Patriotism is Not a Cause for Division
A Muslim’s love for his homeland, his wish for its good and blessings, and his hope for returning to it, are among the lessons that a Muslim learns from the migration of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Patriotism is not prejudice, it does mean discriminations or giving superiority to one’s country over another, it neither means competing negatively with others, nor does it mean bringing divisions to the Islamic Ummah into various and disparate countries or sects. But loving one’s homeland means; brotherhood, affection, cooperation, and supporting Muslims communities of one’s country and all Muslims communities in different regions of the world. Allah, the Almighty has called all Muslims brothers, (in terms of Religion), no matter where in the world they live, and whatever their language and colors are. The faith-based relationship between Muslims, despite the differences in countries, is a normal and God-pleasing matter, which, as an example of this can be the calamity of inflicted Palestinians by the usurper Israel, which causes all Muslims to suffer throughout their lives. This issue has nothing to do with the separation of countries, and the entire Islamic community considers themselves a part of that sorrow.
Islamic countries were, to some extent, composed of various Emirates in different regions with diverse languages and independent or semi-independent rulers. The diversity of local rulers in the Umayyad, Abbasid and Ottoman Caliphates never prevented Muslims from belonging to each other.
An Islamic homeland urgently needs the efforts of all its people to rise again and overcome the crises and catastrophes that almost destabilize it, and Islamic law offers us amazing examples of love for the homeland. Homeland has a high value and status in Islam, and belonging to the homeland is not just a slogan and word, but love, sincerity and sacrifice. Islam encourages people to love their homeland and it considers this matter belonging to it as a part of faith and defending the homeland as a sacred duty and being killed in support of it, is considered as martyrdom. Accordingly, religious scholars confirm that it is not permissible for Muslims to betray their homeland or betray to it at any price. it is also not permissible to attack the homeland, weaken its capabilities, and tamper with its property, no matter how cruel and oppressive it may be. Because homeland in its broad and comprehensive sense is the same land in which God, the Almighty creates man and has placed love and the passion of his country, its people, its system, and its values in his heart.