Loyalty to Britain Or Islam? Or both?

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An article in Birmingham Post by Waqar Ahmad Ahmedi who explains why Muslims can pledge allegiance to nation and faith.

The alleged plot to kidnap and torture a Muslim soldier in Birmingham revived a heated debate about citizenship, loyalty and Islam. The Birmingham raids also raised the issue of the possible impact these events would have on British Muslims considering a career in the military, as the Armed Forces remain occupied in Afghani­stan and Iraq.

loyalty2Islam places great emphasis on the spiritual kinship between all Muslims, irrespective of denomination and nationality. The strength of brotherhood in the ummah (believers) means that Muslims are naturally affected by the plight of their brethren in other parts of the world – a towering testament to their profound love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad may peace and blessings of Allah be upon It was understandable, then, that some Muslims may compare the killing of Muslims by Muslims to “killing a member of your family” On the other hand, the Holy Qur’an also declares obedience to one’s government – whether it is Muslim or not – as a religious duty. The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stressed this point when he said:

“One who obeys his authority, obeys me. One who disobeys his authority, disobeys me.”

The question arises, then, how Muslims can balance both commitments, particularly when their own country is at war with fellow believers?

It is not the first time Muslims have faced this dilemma. Intellectuals throughout Islamic history have attempted to address this issue. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be upon him, who lived under British rule in India and is regarded by millions as, the Promised Messiah of Islam, was instrumental in enlightening Muslims on the principle of loyalty. He observed that, colonialism aside, there were many virtues of Queen Victoria’s reign, one being its guarantee of freedom of faith. “The life, property and honour of Muslims are safe,” wrote Hazrat Ahmad in his paper ‘British Government and Jihad’. “We live under the protection of a peaceful and kind Govern­ment which has never shown any religious prejudice.

Although Muslims can question the state’s policies, they are duty bound to co-operate. Disagreement is one thing, disobedience quite another.

Present day Clerics, esteemed as learned and rightly guided and motivated by a sheer hatred for the West, deliver fiery sermons about jihad that attract youth willing to die for their cause with a desire to become martyrs. The fanatics are every ready to shed innocent blood, but seem reluctant to wage the war the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, himself deemed the greatest and most commendable – the jihad against oneself. Self-purification is the constant striving of every believer, regardless of the climate being harmonious or hostile. Even in the latter case, where injustices are committed against Muslims, the Holy Qur’an counsels peace, patience and prayer. Retaliation is only permitted as a last resort.

For the first 13 years of his ministry, the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was a persecuted citizen in his own city. His call for monotheism and equality among a vicious, idolatrous people was not only ridiculed, but resulted in physical torture for anyone that joined him. However, as his message found increasing sympathy and appeal, not only did the tyrants of Mecca deny the Muslims the right to worship and dispossess them of their properties – forcing a mass migration to Medina – they launched a dedicated campaign to terminate the new faith and its followers. Under such horrific conditions Islam was entitled to self-defence.

Parallels are sometimes drawn between the suffering to which the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his companions were subjected, and the pain inflicted on the Palestinians. Yet there is a crucial difference. Unlike the early Muslims, Palestinians are free to fulfil their religious obligations. The dispute is more about territory. This does not excuse Israel’s bigotry, and Palestinians have every right to protest against the occupation of their land, but it has to be peaceful and consistent with Islamic traditions. Threatening behaviour and suicide attacks was never the Holy Prophet’s way. Muslims who enjoy the right to practice and preach their faith – whether in Palestine or Birmingham – are required to honour the Government of their country, and to live as decent, law-abiding citizens. As the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “One who is not grateful to people is not grateful to Allah.

Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the present head of the Ahmadiyya Community, reminded the ummah: “A true Muslim can never raise his voice in hatred against his fel­low citizens, nor for that matter against the ruling authority or Government of the time. It is the responsibility of a true Muslim that he should remain loyal and fully abide by the laws of the land of which he is a subject.

Whether it is in the Armed Forces or other fields, Muslims have a responsibility to make a positive contribution to this country. Not only will this enable Muslims to fulfil their duties as citizens, it should help to promote a greater appreciation of Islam among the indigenous population.

For Muslims, assimilation should come naturally, not least because the celebration of diversity was originated by Islam itself. When the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, won the hearts and minds of Arabia, he created a single and unified, but ideologically diverse, state that removed local tribal prejudices and ensured a healthy integration of rich and poor, black and white, people of different languages and dialects, those belonging to various cultures and indeed faiths.

The message to fellow British Muslims is simple: be faithful to a Government that ensures religious freedom and tolerance. The peace of any civilised nation depends on upholding these precious values. And the sooner the militants change and step into line, the better.

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