Tribes and Tribalism, Nations and Nationalism
My people are the best people! My tribe is the most prestigious tribe - better than those other tribes! My country, my beloved country! A look at Sūrah al-Ḥujarāt, verse 13. A disease which is passed on generation by generation is the excessive love of one's tribe or nation, preferring them over others and building loyalty upon nationalism and tribalism. A lecture by Ḥasan al-Ṣumālī during a visit to Toronto, Canada (June 2012). He spoke during the seminar entitled, The Sickness and the Cure on issues of disease and rectification (of the heart).
O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allāh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwá [i.e. one of the Muttaqun (pious - see V.2:2). Verily, Allāh is All-Knowing, All-Aware.
[Sūrah al-Ḥujarāt, 49:13]
Points of Benefit:
- Can we reject our tribe, lineage etc? Is it important to know one's lineage?
- Did the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) come from a tribe?
- What are the benefits of knowing one's tribe/clan?
- Is one tribe better than another? The place of al-Taqwá́
- What role did tribalism play in the time of Jāhiliyyah?
- Did tribalism play a role in uniting the Arabs?
- What role did the banner of Lā Ilāha IllAllāh (Islām) play in uniting the people?
- Islām is a brotherhood built upon dīn not tribes
- Is it permissible to call to tribalism, nationalism etc.?
- How did the Muslims become "one body," united
- Should I go to the "masjid of my people" or the masjid upon the Sunnah?
[Q]: "Why don't all the mosques come together and agree to solve the problems of the Muslim youth?"
Tags: Ḥasan al-Ṣumālī, Nationalism