Aqwaam-e-Jahan main hai Raqabat to isi se
Taskheer hai Maqsood-e-Tijarat to isi se
The idea of Nationalism:
The ideology of Nationalism started in the 19th century with the beginning of the French Revolution. Nationalism is the idea in which an individual’s loyalty and commitment are towards his nation-state. This concept includes loyalty based on various similarities among the particular group or communities, based on their common language (as seen in the case of European Countries, where they became enemies of one another just because of having different languages) caste, creed, color, etc.
There is a slight difference between Patriotism and Nationalism. Patriotism is a natural inclination of someone towards his place, region, or country of birth, the feeling to protect and safeguard its territory and sovereignty from others. But when this feeling surpasses its limit and a sense of devotion, intense respect towards his collective identity arises and a feeling of superiority of his identity becomes above all others identities and a sense of hatred develops towards others, then this gives rise to Nationalism. The ideology of Nationalism creates enmity among the groups of people and communities. One group considers itself superior over others and tries to subjugate them.
In Simple words, Patriotism is Country’s Love / DeshPrem / Hubb-e-Watan
and Nationalism is Country’s devotion / Desh Bhakti / WatanParasti
Nationalism Vs Islam:
Butaane Rang-o-Khoon ko tod kar Millat main gum hoja
Na tu Irani rahe baaqi, na Turani, na Afghani
There is a famous quote that “where there is nationalism no Islam can be there.”
In Islam everyone is equal and no one has superiority over others just because of his/her color, creed, etc. In The Holy Quran Chapter Al Hujrat,
O humanity! Indeed, we created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Al Quran 49:13)
The Last khutba (Sermon) of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ on the occasion of Hajjat-ul-Vida (The Last Hajj) emphasizes the concept of unity and equality that no one should be treated inferior to one another on few differences.
The Concept of Nationalism played a major role in the fall of the Khilafat (Caliphate) system of Islam. The Arabs supported Britain against the Ottoman Turks. It was described in these strong words of Allama Iqbal in his Famous Poem Tulu-e-Islam (Rise of Islam):
Haram ruswa hua Peer-e-Haram ki kam Nigaahi se
Jawaanan-e-Tatari kis Qadar sahib Nazar nikle
The Arabs got united with the Allies (Britain+) in World War I and the Ottomans got defeated in this war. What was the result? A large part of Arab countries (Syria, Iraq, Palestine, etc.) was in the hands of Britain and this is the point because of which the third holiest shrine of Islam, Masjid-e-Aqsa gradually got in the hands of Zionists. If Arabs, not in their nationalistic approach, had supported the Ottomans’-Caliphate, the situation would have been something different.
In the present scenario, the ideology of Nationalism is enrooted in Muslims, everyone is fighting for their identity. Kurds against Turks, Arabs against Turks, Pashtun against Hazara, etc., and vice-versa. So this ideology has divided the one Ummah into various factions.
Nationalism in India:
In India, The ideology of cultural, aggressive, and forced nationalism called ‘Hindutva’ is a strong political weapon to target the particular community (Muslims). The only demand of these aggressive nationalists is that the Muslims should leave their separate identity, culture, and traditions and should merge themselves with the ideology of Hindutva.
In India, the concept of Cultural Nationalism (Hindutva) is to make everyone as a whole having the same culture, language, customs, traditions, etc., and not allowing others to have their own separate identity. They believe in the idea of One Nation-One Culture, One Nation-One Language, etc.
This Nationalism is portrayed as the cure for all problems; every crime is justified just for the sake of Nationalism. The extreme case is seen as the feeling of satisfaction and happiness, not because of self-happiness but just because someone else is suffering, even though they are suffering too.
The Idea of Nationalism so far has been proved as the idea to induce hatred, antagonism among mankind as a whole.
