Among the problems facing the nation is the weakness of national belonging among many members of the society as superficial and self-interested belonging predominates, a reflection of weakness in doctrinal and religious commitment, and systematic coloring with the principles included in Islamic education. Such genuine belonging to the nation becomes apparent when we see the nation as part of the creed, viewing it through specific concepts about the universe, humanity, and life so that this belonging involves a contractual and moral commitment towards the nation, surpassing spontaneous emotional belonging or hereditary belonging that does not translate into thought, action, and behavior. Moreover, it is dangerous for the belonging to be self-interested, aiming to achieve a private benefit or specific ulterior motives at the expense of the nation's interest and goals.
Therefore, this belonging must be fate-determining, tying the fate of the individual with the fate of the nation, as it is not a temporary belonging that ends, or a circumstance that fades, but rather a lifelong, irrevocable, and irreversible belonging.
Achieving this belonging requires the creation of the righteous, reforming citizen in the light of Islamic creed principles and values, because achieving this goal apart from these principles, values, and ideals leads to division, conflict, and discord among people.
For achieving genuine and legally acknowledged citizenship and belonging, Islamic education has emphasized the following:
1- Equality among people, regardless of their races, colors, or creeds, the Prophet Muhammad said: "O people, your Lord is one and your father is one, there is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab nor for a non-Arab over an Arab except by righteousness. The most noble among you in the sight of Allah are the most righteous."
2- The legitimacy of cooperation and acquaintance among peoples and tribes (cooperation among different nationalities), as stated in the Qur'an: "O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware."
3- The complete rejection of all forms of racism, classism, regionalism, sectarianism, and anything that leads to the division and conflict among people, ultimately leading to their enmity and dispute.
4- The necessity that any allegiance and pride of the Muslim personality emerge from the framework of loyalty to the Islamic creed and its values, principles, and ideals and respecting others while seeking common denominators that unite rather than divide.
In conclusion, Islamic education views patriotism as an innate trait in humans, as they are born with a love for their homeland and yearning for it. There are many narrations from the Prophet Muhammad and his companions who migrated, proving their love and longing for Mecca, its valleys, and its environs. Scholars have derived from these narrations an important legal ruling. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "This hadith indicates the legitimacy of love for one's homeland and yearning for it," and similarly in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, Al-Suhayli said: "What they expressed in their yearning for Mecca is what souls are naturally inclined to, which is love for the homeland and longing for it."
Thus, love for the homeland is a natural matter and does not conflict with loyalty to Islam.
In summary, the requirements of love for religion include love for the homeland, since the religion commands us to love the homeland and preserve it.
Prof. Fikri Al-Duwairi, Dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Irbid Private University
