Islam’s View on Fanaticism

By Mohammad Yaqub Nayel

Fanaticism is a sign of ignorance: Anyone who has even a bit of fanaticism or prejudice is in ignorance to that extent.

This is stated in many hadiths. It was narrated from Jubair bin Mut’im that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Translation: “He is not one of us who calls people to fanaticism or prejudice, he is not one of us who fights on the basis of fanaticism, and he is not one of us who dies on the basis of prejudice”.

It is also narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Translation: “Whoever fights under the banner of blindness, inciting people to prejudice and anger based on prejudice, then his war is a war of ignorance.

In another hadith, Jundub bin Abdullah Al-Bajli narrated from the Messenger of Almighty Allah (peace be upon him) that he said: Translation: “Whoever was killed under the banner of blindness, who was calling for fanaticism or prejudice and supporting it on the basis of it, then his death is a death of ignorance.

Fanaticism is a bad-smelling thought and a filthy slogan.
The Messenger of Almighty Allah (peace be upon him) described the shouting and slogans of fanaticism as something that should be hated by people.

He said: “Abandon it, for it is a foul and foul-smelling matter.” That is, the more a person touches it, the more its evil and filthiness is revealed.

Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Translation: “We were in a battle. A man from the Muhajirin struck a man from the Ansar (the real residents of Madina) from behind. The Ansar shouted: “O Ansar (gather together),” and the Muhajirin shouted: “O Muhajirin (gather together).” When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) heard this shouting, he asked, “What is this?” The Companions told him, “A man from the Muhajirin struck a man from the Ansar.” The Ansar called out to the Ansar, and the Muhajirin called out to the Muhajirin. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Stop this, for it is a foul and foul slogan.”

How beautiful and honorable were the titles of the Muhajirin and Ansar, but when they were used for fanaticism or prejudice, how displeased was the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and how he praised them!

Due to the fanaticism, a fundamental law of Islam is being destroyed, a law that Almighty Allah has enjoined upon Muslims in the Holy Quran. Almighty Allah says: Translation: “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.
And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty”.

This is the law of Islam that a Muslim must adhere to it.

A Muslim’s support and assistance to someone should never be based on whether he is a member of their nation, tribe, family, region, or homeland.
A Muslim should look at whether the work he supports and participates in is a work of goodness and piety or not.
In this regard, Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that he said: Translation: He who helps another by injustice is like a camel that has fallen into a deep pit and is being pulled out by its tail.

What is not considered fanaticism: The prohibition of fanaticism or prejudice never means that one should not love and cherish one’s country, family, nation, or tribe.

This love is a natural thing. The demand of this love is that a person strives for its progress, development, and spreading goodness within it as it is also the first responsibility of a Muslim.

Therefore, the command given to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in this verse is: Translation: “And warn your nearest relatives”. This ruling applies to all Muslims, because the first beneficiaries of kindness are those closest to them.

Therefore, when the daughter of Wasilah bin Asqa asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): Translation: “Is it a sin for a person to love and appreciate their nation?”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) gave him a clear answer that completely revealed the difference between fanaticism and true love, saying: Translation: “No, it is not a sin, but it is a sin for a Muslim to stand up to injustice and cruelty towards his own people”.

So, having love for one’s own people, nation, tribe, relatives, and country is a natural thing. The Sharia has encouraged Muslims to do this, but on the condition that as a result of this, a person does not commit injustice or support cruelty, does not deprive other people of their rights, does not consider himself superior to other people, does not consider other people deserving of hatred and contempt because of this.
If one does these things, then such love turns into fanaticism and prejudice and becomes unlawful and forbidden.

Also, the national traditions of a nation that are considered positive and are in line with Islam, such as courage, standing up for the truth and modesty, generosity and kindness, good neighborliness, helping the oppressed, preserving good morals, and preserving such positive traditions are not included in that negative fanaticism and prejudice. However, defending and preserving any of one’s own customs and traditions, whether they are in agreement with the truth or against it, are included in that wrong fanaticism.

To summarize, a stance that results in oppression, aggression, unjustified favoritism, the loss of the rights of those who have rights, hatred and aversion towards people without any valid reason, and failure to observe the etiquette of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood is a biased and incorrect stance and a Muslim must avoid it.

Such love and affection, as well as such hatred and aversion that is justified, is permissible and right and is not considered bias and fanaticism.

Conclusion: We must understand that fanaticism and prejudice have no place in Islam. We and you must recognize our true responsibility and duty in these sensitive moments when our war-affected people are facing various problems. We must understand that if a person is knowledgeable and educated, his superiority lies in piety.

The truth is that the main criterion in Islam is only piety and nothing else, as Almighty Allah has clearly stated in His great and Holy book: Translation: “The best and highest status of your character in the sight of Almighty Allah is the one who has the most piety and fear”.

Finally, we ask Almighty Allah to protect us from this disease of fanaticism and prejudice, which causes corruption, oppression, killings, wars, bloodshed, and various problems and difficulties in society, so that we may live a peaceful, secure, and comfortable life under the shadow of the holy religion of Islam and this beautiful and noble system of the Islamic Emirate.

The End

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