Islam's teachings on loyalty and love for one's country
As an Ahmadi Muslim born in Spain, I would like to make the following reflections on Islam's teachings on loyalty and love of country.
"And those who respect its deposits and its covenants". (70:33)
According to the teachings of Islam, the definition and true meaning of loyalty is the unequivocal fulfilment of the promises and agreements that everyone makes, at whatever level and in whatever circumstances, regardless of their difficulty. This is the true degree of loyalty required by Islam. This applies both to those who guard the law and those who must observe it.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (the Founder of Islam, peace be upon him) taught that "love of country is part of faith". Thus, true patriotism is a requirement of Islam. To truly love God and Islam, a person must love his own country. It is impossible for a true Muslim's love for God to ever become an impediment or barrier to his true love and faithfulness to his homeland.
Islam does not tolerate any form of rebellious behaviour on the part of any citizen against his nation, nor does it permit harming it in any way, be it his native or adopted nation. If a person acts against his nation and causes it any harm, then he must be treated as an enemy of the state, a traitor, and punished according to the laws of the land. Again, this principle applies to both the custodians of the law and those who must observe it.
Islam teaches that those who transgress all boundaries and consequently harm and injure others, such behaviour is disloyal because loyalty is closely linked to moral values. True loyalty cannot exist without high moral values and vice versa.
In short, according to Islamic teachings, God Almighty has forbidden any kind of abuse of power, treason or rebellion, whether it is against one's own people or against the government; and this is because abuse of power, rebellion or acts against the state pose a threat to the peace and security of the country.
"And Al'lah has no pleasure in disorder". (2:206)
The Quran warns us against all deviations that take the form of abuse of power, or unwarranted rebellions, because they ultimately act as stepping stones that lead humanity down the path of evil: any conflict must be resolved at its inception, before the situation gets out of control.
For example, in today's age, many governments are democratically elected. Therefore, if a group of people want to change a government, they must do so by following the correct democratic process. It must make its voice heard by voting at the ballot box. In fact, Islam teaches that an individual's right to vote must be exercised with a sense of loyalty and love of country. A person's vote must be for the benefit of the country, electing representatives who are truly worthy of such election.
Regarding Muslims living in non-Muslim countries who wish or are forced to enlist in armies, wherever they are required to stop cruelty, Muslim soldiers should fight regardless of which Western army they are part of, following orders and fighting if so ordered to establish peace. However, if the armed forces of one country are ordered to attack another country unjustly, thus becoming oppressors, the Muslim has the option to leave the army, because to do otherwise would be to implicate himself in acts of cruelty. Making such a decision does not imply disloyalty to one's homeland. In fact, in such circumstances, loyalty to his homeland would require him to take this step and to advise the authorities of his country not to fall into the same pit into which unjust governments and nations that act cruelly fall. However, if enlistment in the army is compulsory and there is no way to leave it, and there are doubts of conscience, then the Muslim must leave that country, but without raising his voice in protest against the laws established in that place. He must leave the country because a Muslim is not allowed to live in a country as a citizen while at the same time acting against the nation, or siding with its opponents.
The essence of the teachings of Islam is that we must spread peace, inasmuch as the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has defined a Muslim "as the person from whose physical or verbal acts all others are safe". Surely all sincere and decent people would like to have such peaceful people within their societies.
In order to integrate into local societies and develop mutual respect, we Muslims are taught that we should try to learn all the positive aspects of every society, every region, every city and every country. It is this guidance that truly instils unity, and the spirit of trust and mutual love.
In many parts of the world we see mass strikes and demonstrations against government policies. Moreover, in certain countries it is becoming commonplace for demonstrators to vandalise and damage state property and assets. Although they claim that they are acting in good faith, the truth is that such acts have nothing to do with loyalty and love of country.
In conclusion, I would like us to look at how the world today has become a global village. Humanity is intertwined, interconnected, people of all nations, religions and cultures are spread across all countries. This implies and requires that all leaders of all countries consider and respect the beliefs and sentiments of all people. Leaders and their governments should strive to create laws that foster an environment of truth and justice rather than create laws that create misfortune and frustration for their people. Injustices and cruelties must be eradicated, and true justice must be striven for. And the best way to achieve this is to accept that we come from the same Creator. If this were to happen, we would see with our own eyes how the highest standards of loyalty to the homeland are being established by the people of all nations, and how new paths are opening up leading to peace and security throughout the world.