By Asim Alavi
Islam is the identity of a Muslim. However, this is one of the much debated subjects in countries where Muslims live as minorities. Muslims living in non-Muslim countries are accused of being unpatriotic and opportunistic. On one hand one segment of Muslims adopt an extremist principle that allegiance of faith to a non-Muslim country is Haram. They dwell their opinion on the concept of Al Wala Wal Bara (Loyalty & Disavowal). According to this concept, Muslims are not allowed to have loyalty and friendship with unbelievers. Those who interpret this concept erroneously argue that Muslims may live in non-Muslim countries but their loyalty should be only to Islam, not to the laws of their countries of residence. Nor do they have obligation to serve in the armed forces or pay tax. This extremist interpretation gives an open licence to those who live in non-Muslim countries to break laws wherever convenient, engage in acts of treachery and all sorts of deceptive dealings on the premise that the country they live is not a Muslim one. Fatal consequences of this notion emerge in the forms of selfishness, opportunism and unpatriotic behaviours, which are utterly despicable acts in the sight of Islam.
The other segment of Muslims has embraced the concept of blind nationalism at the cost of Islam. They call this as patriotism, but that is a total misinterpretation. For them Islam is a religion of rituals and absolutely a private matter of a person; it does not have any role in the socio-political lives. The blind nationalists go to the ugly extent of justifying the unjust and oppressive causes of their countries. This notion runs contrary to the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and unity of mankind. Man is created with difference in colour, race and physical features, not to despise but to know each other. Embracing blind nationalism is another kind of extremism. It deprives one from the virtues of holding Ummatic perspectives. The pain of an oppressed Muslim in far off lands does not trouble him. This is an alien concept devised by the European occupiers to divide Muslim Ummah. Unfortunately many Muslim countries that embraced blind nationalism have gone to brutal wars and lynched each other. History testifies to the ugliest forms of confrontations between nations and people on the lines of race, ethnicity and tribal pride. Two most horrible and darkest world wars were fought to establish the supremacy of Arian race over rest of the people.
It is worthwhile to emphasize that from an elevated Islamic perspective both the above interpretations are man-made and thoroughly lack objectivity. Islam stands for Wasatiyah (Moderation) in all affairs. It tries to stand right in the middle from both these flawed concepts of human identity. Understanding the concept of Tawheed is of paramount importance in understanding human identity. Tawheed is the foundation of a Muslim’s belief. Allah, the pre-eternal One is the sole Creator of everything; He alone is the object of worship. Man is created as one but with diverse tastes, interests, desires and needs. This diversity is recognized in the following verse:
"O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another." (Al-Hujurat: 13).
While recognizing this diversity, the Qur’an does not spare room for the argument of diversity of God. The spectacular aspect of Islamic faith is that while ensuring complete freedom for man to choose his religion it marks a redline on the non-negotiability of Allah Almighty as the ultimate object of worship. A Muslim, therefore, is prohibited from engaging in any act of worship that runs against this absolute right of Allah Almighty. Often a question is raised as to why Muslim students do not bow down in worship to their teachers at school, why do they not participate in acts like placing flower bouquet in front of Buddha statue. It is argued that all these are cultural norms. But for Muslims these acts run contrary to Tawheed and thus are flagrant and greater sins, hence abstinence. The absolute sovereignty of heavens and earth belong only to Allah. He is the Master and Lord of everything. Below is the unequivocal statement about Allah Almighty’s exclusive right to Lordship:
O mankind, worship your Lord Who has created you as well as those before you; do so that you are saved. (Al Baqarah:21)
This understanding is fundamental before delving into the issue of Sri Lankan Muslims’ identity.
More insight into Islam’s antipathy towards blind nationalism is explained in the Farewell sermon. In Islam man’s supremacy comes from piety (Taqwa). The Prophet(PBUH) said: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood.”
Sri Lankan Muslims are bonded by the universal Islamic brotherhood. Their outlook transcends all other narrow affiliations in human relationships. They are entrusted with specific responsibilities in this world. Their duties to fellow human beings and the country they live come from this trusteeship. Muslims are required to be witness and upholders of justice. The concept of justice is very broad in the Islamic perspective. Allah SWT commands the believers to uphold justice this way:
{O you who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.} (An-Nisaa' 4:134)
What comes next is to uphold peace. In Islam justice and peace are the basic principles for interaction between peoples and nations. War is resorted to only in exceptional situations. According to Sheikh Rashid Al Ghannouchi war is not the default rule in the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims. His argument is based on the following Qur’anic verse:
And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah; surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing. (Al-Anfal 8:61).
Sri Lanka’s constitution has sufficiently guaranteed peace for all its citizens. It also has guaranteed the freedom of religion. These are clear indications of the country’s inclination toward peace. Thus it becomes obligatory upon Muslims to ensure that peace and stability of the country are not hindered at any rate; that law and order are maintained in the land; that people live with peace, harmony and spiritual and economic prosperities.
What hinder peace and stability in our country are parochial and sectarian thinking prevalent among sections of people. From a broader perspective, Muslims are obliged to look at Sri Lanka as one, give first preference to its national interests and walk away from selfish communal interests. The land belongs to Allah SWT therefore demand for carving pieces of land on ethnic or nationalist lines is un-Islamic. On the basis of this very principle that Maulana Abul A’la Maududi objected to separation of Pakistan from India and separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
Regarding Muslims’ loyalty to their countries the late Islamic scholar Sheikh Faisal Al Mawlawi’s Fatwa is extremely relevant here:
"Muslims living in non-Muslim countries are to respect the symbols of those countries such as the national anthem, national flag, etc. This is part of what citizenship dictates as per modern customs. … Thus, standing up for the national anthem is not a form of prohibited loyalty. If a Muslim is to change a wrong action in a majority non-Muslim country, let him do that through Da`wah, wisdom, and fair exhortation. At the same time, he should not obey any rules that involve disobedience to Allah."
Muslims’ loyalty to Sri Lanka also include serving in the armed forces. Standing against oppressors, whether it is another Muslim or a Muslim majority country, is the prime responsibility of a Muslim soldier. In the event of being killed for upholding justice a Muslim soldier is adorned with martyrdom that entitles him for greatest rewards from Allah SWT.
Finally, a Muslim’s loyalty to Islam is fundamental and non-negotiable. In situations where he is forced to a choice between national interest and Islamic interest, it is obligatory upon him to go for the latter. He may lose his country, that is but a temporary loss limited to this world. Losing Islam will be a devastating eternal loss which no sensible Muslim would dare to commit. But such a situation is very rare in Sri Lanka. The laudable level of religious freedom prevalent in Sri Lanka is far better than many Arab countries where religious practices are limited to what dictated by kings and rulers.
Islam is the identity of a Muslim. However, this is one of the much debated subjects in countries where Muslims live as minorities. Muslims living in non-Muslim countries are accused of being unpatriotic and opportunistic. On one hand one segment of Muslims adopt an extremist principle that allegiance of faith to a non-Muslim country is Haram. They dwell their opinion on the concept of Al Wala Wal Bara (Loyalty & Disavowal). According to this concept, Muslims are not allowed to have loyalty and friendship with unbelievers. Those who interpret this concept erroneously argue that Muslims may live in non-Muslim countries but their loyalty should be only to Islam, not to the laws of their countries of residence. Nor do they have obligation to serve in the armed forces or pay tax. This extremist interpretation gives an open licence to those who live in non-Muslim countries to break laws wherever convenient, engage in acts of treachery and all sorts of deceptive dealings on the premise that the country they live is not a Muslim one. Fatal consequences of this notion emerge in the forms of selfishness, opportunism and unpatriotic behaviours, which are utterly despicable acts in the sight of Islam.
The other segment of Muslims has embraced the concept of blind nationalism at the cost of Islam. They call this as patriotism, but that is a total misinterpretation. For them Islam is a religion of rituals and absolutely a private matter of a person; it does not have any role in the socio-political lives. The blind nationalists go to the ugly extent of justifying the unjust and oppressive causes of their countries. This notion runs contrary to the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and unity of mankind. Man is created with difference in colour, race and physical features, not to despise but to know each other. Embracing blind nationalism is another kind of extremism. It deprives one from the virtues of holding Ummatic perspectives. The pain of an oppressed Muslim in far off lands does not trouble him. This is an alien concept devised by the European occupiers to divide Muslim Ummah. Unfortunately many Muslim countries that embraced blind nationalism have gone to brutal wars and lynched each other. History testifies to the ugliest forms of confrontations between nations and people on the lines of race, ethnicity and tribal pride. Two most horrible and darkest world wars were fought to establish the supremacy of Arian race over rest of the people.
It is worthwhile to emphasize that from an elevated Islamic perspective both the above interpretations are man-made and thoroughly lack objectivity. Islam stands for Wasatiyah (Moderation) in all affairs. It tries to stand right in the middle from both these flawed concepts of human identity. Understanding the concept of Tawheed is of paramount importance in understanding human identity. Tawheed is the foundation of a Muslim’s belief. Allah, the pre-eternal One is the sole Creator of everything; He alone is the object of worship. Man is created as one but with diverse tastes, interests, desires and needs. This diversity is recognized in the following verse:
"O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another." (Al-Hujurat: 13).
While recognizing this diversity, the Qur’an does not spare room for the argument of diversity of God. The spectacular aspect of Islamic faith is that while ensuring complete freedom for man to choose his religion it marks a redline on the non-negotiability of Allah Almighty as the ultimate object of worship. A Muslim, therefore, is prohibited from engaging in any act of worship that runs against this absolute right of Allah Almighty. Often a question is raised as to why Muslim students do not bow down in worship to their teachers at school, why do they not participate in acts like placing flower bouquet in front of Buddha statue. It is argued that all these are cultural norms. But for Muslims these acts run contrary to Tawheed and thus are flagrant and greater sins, hence abstinence. The absolute sovereignty of heavens and earth belong only to Allah. He is the Master and Lord of everything. Below is the unequivocal statement about Allah Almighty’s exclusive right to Lordship:
O mankind, worship your Lord Who has created you as well as those before you; do so that you are saved. (Al Baqarah:21)
This understanding is fundamental before delving into the issue of Sri Lankan Muslims’ identity.
More insight into Islam’s antipathy towards blind nationalism is explained in the Farewell sermon. In Islam man’s supremacy comes from piety (Taqwa). The Prophet(PBUH) said: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood.”
Sri Lankan Muslims are bonded by the universal Islamic brotherhood. Their outlook transcends all other narrow affiliations in human relationships. They are entrusted with specific responsibilities in this world. Their duties to fellow human beings and the country they live come from this trusteeship. Muslims are required to be witness and upholders of justice. The concept of justice is very broad in the Islamic perspective. Allah SWT commands the believers to uphold justice this way:
{O you who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.} (An-Nisaa' 4:134)
What comes next is to uphold peace. In Islam justice and peace are the basic principles for interaction between peoples and nations. War is resorted to only in exceptional situations. According to Sheikh Rashid Al Ghannouchi war is not the default rule in the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims. His argument is based on the following Qur’anic verse:
And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah; surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing. (Al-Anfal 8:61).
Sri Lanka’s constitution has sufficiently guaranteed peace for all its citizens. It also has guaranteed the freedom of religion. These are clear indications of the country’s inclination toward peace. Thus it becomes obligatory upon Muslims to ensure that peace and stability of the country are not hindered at any rate; that law and order are maintained in the land; that people live with peace, harmony and spiritual and economic prosperities.
What hinder peace and stability in our country are parochial and sectarian thinking prevalent among sections of people. From a broader perspective, Muslims are obliged to look at Sri Lanka as one, give first preference to its national interests and walk away from selfish communal interests. The land belongs to Allah SWT therefore demand for carving pieces of land on ethnic or nationalist lines is un-Islamic. On the basis of this very principle that Maulana Abul A’la Maududi objected to separation of Pakistan from India and separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
Regarding Muslims’ loyalty to their countries the late Islamic scholar Sheikh Faisal Al Mawlawi’s Fatwa is extremely relevant here:
"Muslims living in non-Muslim countries are to respect the symbols of those countries such as the national anthem, national flag, etc. This is part of what citizenship dictates as per modern customs. … Thus, standing up for the national anthem is not a form of prohibited loyalty. If a Muslim is to change a wrong action in a majority non-Muslim country, let him do that through Da`wah, wisdom, and fair exhortation. At the same time, he should not obey any rules that involve disobedience to Allah."
Muslims’ loyalty to Sri Lanka also include serving in the armed forces. Standing against oppressors, whether it is another Muslim or a Muslim majority country, is the prime responsibility of a Muslim soldier. In the event of being killed for upholding justice a Muslim soldier is adorned with martyrdom that entitles him for greatest rewards from Allah SWT.
Finally, a Muslim’s loyalty to Islam is fundamental and non-negotiable. In situations where he is forced to a choice between national interest and Islamic interest, it is obligatory upon him to go for the latter. He may lose his country, that is but a temporary loss limited to this world. Losing Islam will be a devastating eternal loss which no sensible Muslim would dare to commit. But such a situation is very rare in Sri Lanka. The laudable level of religious freedom prevalent in Sri Lanka is far better than many Arab countries where religious practices are limited to what dictated by kings and rulers.
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