Unity in Islamic World (18)

Welcome to this week’s episode of the series Unity in Islamic World. Today, by reliance upon the thoughts of thinkers of the World of Islam, and the historical experiences of the Islamic countries, we intend to elaborate on the role of nationalism in causing discord within the World of Islam.

In the previous weeks, we studied the status of idea of Islamic convergence and unity among the thinkers of the Islamic world. Today, and in the coming weeks, we discuss the factors behind convergence and divergence in the Islamic world. Previously, it was mentioned that the common Islamic values such as the Prophet, one Kiblah, and belief in immunity of Holy Quran from any deviation, are some of the parameters that can form the basis for solidarity of Islamic countries. Undoubtedly, convergence and unity of Islamic countries is not feasible without focus on these joint principles; and other unifying factors such as economic and political interests cannot be considered as solid basis for unification of countries. This is because in economy and politics there is no permanent enemy and ally, and upon the change of conditions; allies, enemies, and rivals change. Thus, any alliance and unity in the World of Islam should be based on the said principles.

Now, the question which springs to mind is that these common and joint principles have always existed within the fourteen centuries which have passed since the advent of Islam, so how come these principles have not led to unity and convergence, while the signs of discord and divergence among Islamic countries have even surged? This question guides our mind toward a highly important point.

The conflicts and rifts in the World of Islam are due to secondary issues such as ethnical, racial, economic, and political interests of countries. In other words, secondary factors have manifested themselves in one form or the other throughout the history of Islamic countries, dividing the World of Islam. If we want to attain unity under the current temporal and spatial conditions, we should focus on secondary parameters, so that upon gaining an understanding of the divisive and unifying factors, the goal of unification of the Islamic countries would be pursued.

Common Islamic values and principles are essential for unity of Islamic countries, but are not sufficient. The Islamic countries should also seek to wipe out or fade away the divisive factors and to cement the unifying parameters. Thus, within the next few weeks, we analyze the factors which lead to divergence and convergence of Islamic countries.

In the analysis of the factors leading to divergence in the World of Islam, one can point out domestic and foreign factors. Some factors behind discord in the World of Islam are domestic in nature, and some are related to foreign interferences and conspiracies. On the basis of ideas of thinkers, and the historical experiences of Islamic countries, the two factors of nationalism and unjust reign of rulers are the root causes of divergence in the Islamic world. Nationalism is a phenomenon attributed to the modern era, especially to post-Renaissance period. This is a period of time characterized by the revolt of personal awareness against collective and social pressure. The man of the new era has set aside the social values of his period of time and has replaced them with a series of fresh values. In this phase in time, the Christian empire has collapsed and national governments have taken shape.

Irrespective of theoretical disputes, nationalism can be referred to a sense of belonging to a particular race, language, culture, or ethnicity, within determined boundaries and borders. In some phases of history, nationalism has served authoritarianism, and in some other periods of time, it has served the liberation of countries from the yoke of colonial powers. Meanwhile, at some junctures in time, nationalism has sparked gory battles among different countries. But, what is the relationship between nationalism and Islamic thought, and what role has nationalism played in convergence or divergence of Muslims? It should be said that Islamic thinkers maintain different views in regard to the status of nationalism in the divine religion of Islam. These views can be divided into three groups.

The first group is comprised of theorists who opine that there is no contrast between nationality and the concept of Islamic Ummah, and maintenance of a separate nationality and identity is approved by Holy Quran. In this view, nationalism is considered as a type of inner tendency toward one’s own compatriots and relatives.

The second group is comprised of theorists, who consider nationalism as one of the manifestations and results of Western civilization and culture. These theorists believe that the Unified Ummah does not refer to a particular ethnicity, group, or race, and in fact is comprised of individuals who are from different ethnicities, races, and traditions, whose commonalty is their belief in religious principles. Thereby, they negate nationalism.

The third group consists of theorists, such as Martyr Motahari, who maintain intermediate and in-between views.

Without intending to enter the theoretical discussions about the relationship between nationalism and the idea of formation of a unified Islamic Ummah, we have to point out that based on experience, although nationalism has maintained a number of positive aspects such as liberation of many countries from the yoke of colonial powers, it has mainly maintained a divisive aspect among Islamic countries.

If we accept the interpretation of Martyr Motahari about the relationship between nationalism and unified Ummah, it can be said that the negative aspects of nationalism such as its divisive aspects have been more apparent than its positive aspects such as patriotism. Thus, in the World of Islam, nationalism has mainly served the divergence of Islamic countries.

Furthermore, one should also point out the role of foreign powers in materialization of the negative aspects of nationalism, in a bid to achieve their sinister goals.

The Founder of Islamic Republic of Iran, late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace), pointed out: “World powers have long hatched plots to force Muslims into submission, and to loot their resources and belongings. One of these plots has been the issue of nationalism. The divine religion of Islam has come to unite all of the world nations, and to establish a large Islamic Ummah in the world. Those, who under the name of nationalism drive a wedge among Muslims, are the forces of Satan; assist the world powers; and are the opponents of Holy Quran.”

MR/MG