Tribal Partisanship and Nationalism

Shaykh Muqbil ibn Haadee al-Waadi'ee


Reference: Taken from: Answers to the Questioner regarding important issues - Q268


Category: Scholars Advice

The questioner says; there are some who are present in this gathering, who have left tribal partisanship and have rejected the spilling of unlawful blood. So we hope from you some words of guidance and direction for them?

"This is a blessing from Allah the Most Perfect the Most High and the Prophet-sallahu alaihee wasallam-said:

"The best of you in Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) are the best in Islaam, if they attain understanding (of the religion)." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

And it is likewise appropriate that they praise Allah the Most Perfect the Most High as He saved them from the partisanship of the days of Jaahiliyyah. As the Prophet-sallahu alaihee wasallam has said, the meaning of which is:

"He is not from us, who fights for tribal partisanship." (Sunan Abi Dawood; hadeeth declared weak by Shaykh Al-Albaani). And he said:

"He is not from us, who hits himself and tears his clothes (whilst wailing) and calls with the calling of Jaahiliyyah." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

The calling of Jaahiliyyah comprises of everything from having partisanship to a Madhhab (school of Islamic fiqh) or partisanship to a particular group or having tribal partisanship.

So it is enough for our brothers, that we direct them to and remind them with Surah Al-Hujuraat and even though the Surah itself directs a person and warns him from the partisanship of the days of Jaahiliyyah, I will read one verse from it:

"O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be latter are better that the former. Nor let women scoff at other women , it may be that the latter are better than the former. And do not defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult ones brother after having faith." (Al-Hujuraat: 11).

And our Prophet-sallahu alaihee wasallam-said in the farewell Hajj:

"Every affair of Jaahiliyyah is now placed under my feet." (Muslim). And as is mentioned in the two authentic collections (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim) from Jaabir who said:

"One from the Ansaar had an argument with one from the Muhaajireen. So the Ansaaree said:'O Ansaar! And the Muhaajir said:'O Muhaajireen.! So the Prophet-sallahu alaihee wasallam-heard this and said: "Is this the call of Jaahiliyyah and I am with you. Leave it, for it is indeed something rotten and offensive."

And in Saheeh Muslim from the Hadeeth of Abu Maalik Al-Asha'ree who said that the Messenger of Allah-sallahu alaihee wasallam-said:

"Four affairs in my Ummah from the affairs of Jaahiliyyah will not be left; to have pride in ones lineage, to curse another person's lineage, to seek rain by way of the stars and to wail upon the dead."

However, along with this there is no problem in preserving your lineage. Meaning; we are not saying that you should not say: I am from the tribe of such and such. As this is something which is allowed. We do not want to make something Haraam for people, which Allah has made Halaal for them. Allah the Most Perfect and Most High has said in His Book:

"O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another. Verily the most honourable from amongst you are the ones who fear Allah the most." (Al-Hujaraat: 13).

However we do say that you should not act haughty and proud over others. So that which we advise our brothers who have abandoned such bigoted partisanship of the days of Jaahiliyyah, that they embark upon seeking beneficial knowledge, until Allah raises them. And that they should be keen on guiding other brothers from amongst them. And on calling their tribes to leave such partisanship of the days of jaahiliyyah, which has become harmful for the Book of Allah and for the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah-sallahu alaihee wasallam-meaning that it has become something which rivals the Book of Allah and the Sunnah. And how much blood has been spilt in the way of these ancestral ways and customs and how many Fitan (trials) have been caused because of them.

"So let those who oppose his (the Prophets) command be warned, that a trial may afflict them or they may be afflicted with a severe punishment." (An-Noor: 63).

However when one calls his companion and says: O Humraan Al-U'yoon, as the poet said:

"They do not ask their brother when he weeps for them---Then in the occurrence of calamities,there is clarity upon what he said."

I have lived most of my life amongst tribes and I have seen one who sides with his companion, whilst knowing that he is in the wrong and the Lord, Most Honourable has said in His Book:

"And co-operate with one another upon righteousness and piety and do not co-operate with each other upon sin and transgression." (Al-Maa'idah: 2).

So it is obligatory upon our brothers, those whom Allah has saved from ignorant partisanship, that they strive in rescuing their fellow brothers. Allah the Mighty and Majestic has said:

"And hold onto the rope of Allah together and do not divide and remember the blessing of Allah upon you, when you were enemies one to another, but He joined your hearts together, so you became by his blessing brothers, and you were on the brink of the pit of hellfire and He saved you from it." (Al-Imran: 103).

And our Prophet Muhammad-sallahu alaihee wasallam-has said:

"The Muslim is a brother of the Muslim, he does not oppress him nor does he hold him in contempt or betray him." (Muslim).