I came across these hadiths which perplexed me:
It is narrated that, Rasulullah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“He is Not one of us who calls for asabiyyah, (tribalism/nationalism) or who fights for asabiyyah, or who dies for asabiyyah.” [Abu Dawud]
You are all the children of Adam and Adam was made of clay. People should give up their pride in nations because that is a coal from the coals of Hell-fire. If they do not give this up Allah (swt) will consider them lower than the lowly worm which pushes itself through Khara (dung)." [Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]
The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:“Whosoever leaves off obedience and separates from the Jamaa’ah and dies, he dies a death of jaahiliyyah. Whoever fights under the banner of the blind, becoming angry for ‘asabiyyah (partisanship and party spirit), or calling to ‘asabiyyah, or assisting ‘asabiyyah, then dies, he dies a death of jaahiliyyah." [Sahih Muslim (6/21)]
It seems to me that Islam abhors racism, ethnicism, tribalism, and its newer version, nationalism. Differences of language, color, cuisine and accent were meant to identify humanity, not to be used to ridicule or fight each other like proclaiming ourselves to be Syed,Khan,Qureshi,Pakistani, Indian, Iranian, American etc. So does it mean Islam forbids Nationalism and patriotism towards ones own non Islamic country or race?
