truthseeker63's Corner

Is Patriotism not Nationalism allowed in Islam or is both allowed Im from the United States and want to know if I can be a American Patriot and a Muslim at the sametime Im not saying that I support the American Government's policies towards Iraq and Afghanistan and Palestine but I do respect my nation's Founding Fathers who fought the British Empire and I have respect for the American Constitution even though I believe it is outdated and not needed anymore I have no respect for any of America's Presidents who have been President in the past 50 years but I do respect the Founders I don't hate the American People or America because I know that Americans and America are and is under Zionist Occupation too just like Palestine is and the Palestinians and or the Palestinian People are ?

This is what someone else wrote and I think they put it quite well -

Thank you for your question. Loving one's country and its people is a good trait of Muslims, as our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has amply demonstrated. This is what we mean by patriotism.

But there is an intense form of it called nationalism that urges people to adopt the position that their country is right and should be supported in whatever it does, even if that means supporting injustice.

Muslims have to necessarily abide by Allah's commandments regarding truth and justice. Therefore, they cannot adopt an attitude of blind patriotism or nationalism because it tends to instill into people a belief that their nation is superior to other nations, notwithstanding the principle of human equality and brotherhood upheld by Islam.

Besides, extreme nationalists relegate God and His religion to a secondary status, placing nationalist considerations uppermost. And nationalism tends to pit one nation against another in pursuit of political hegemony or economic exploitation. They reject the guidance of God to adopt short-sighted jingoism out of a desire to dominate other nations.

Nationalists do not stand for justice in causes, but cling to narrow sectarian allegiance. Hence they may oppose Muslims who support those fighting for their basic human rights irrespective of national borders, such as the Palestinians, the Iraqis, or the Chechens.

Nationalists' political philosophy is derived from ancient tribal affinities and goes back to pre-Islamic times. As observed by the Muslim scholar Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the ideology of nationalism was first planted in Muslim societies by Western occupiers and their stooges.

Muslims living in the contemporary world should be realistic enough to adopt a policy of harmony and peace as far as possible. They should understand that the national flag and national anthem are powerful symbols of a country, and respecting them simply means that they are ready to live there as loyal citizens.

Disrespecting the national flag or the anthem would be considered an open challenge to the government attracting due punishment.

Moreover, Islam orders us to do our best to become good citizens in the countries we live in. Muslims have to honor the laws of the country where they live as long as such laws do not contradict the teachings of Islam.

In this connection the opinion of Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, deputy chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, is relevant:

Muslims living in non-Muslim countries are to respect the symbols of those countries such as the national anthem, national flag, etc. This is part of what citizenship dictates as per modern customs. … Thus, standing up for the national anthem is not a form of prohibited loyalty. If a Muslim is to change a wrong action in a majority non-Muslim country, let him do that through da`wah, wisdom, and fair exhortation. At the same time, he should not obey any rules that involve disobedience to Allah.

When Muslims living in non-Muslim countries stand up to respect their national anthems, their intention is not to approve the un-Islamic rulings prevalent in those countries. They are simply performing a national duty, that is, loving their nation.

And this expression of patriotism has nothing to do with worship, as there is neither prayer nor remembrance of God involved in it. Thus, it cannot be called a prohibited act.

“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 honourable of you with Allaah is that (believer) who has At‑Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqoon (the pious)]. Verily, Allaah is All‑Knowing, All‑Aware”
[al-Hujuraat 49:13]

I think a Muslim who limits his reading to just the Qur'an and the hadiths does not possess much understanding of his religion.

format_quote Originally Posted by truthseeker63

My question are Muslims only allowed to read the Quran and the Hadith can Muslims read other Books Im asking this because some religions or sects only allow it's followers to read the Religion's Holy Book ?

As-Salaamu Alaaykum

I am not sure, but i would sincerely advice that before reading other books, read your own book first, study it etc.
To study Qur'aan and hadeeth can take a life time, so why not study your book? There is soo much to learn. It is not a sin to study another religion, keep in mind Allaah does say in his noble book:

"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower."

Note: Allaah says the Right path has become clear from the wrong path. And he says he is All Hearer, All knower.

One who is convinced Qur'aan is the word of Allaah will know that the other books were also once the word of God i.e. contained the word of God. So if some teachings in the Torah, Zabur, Injeel are same as the Qur'aan then know that they are correct, and if not they are changed as Allaah mentioned in his book.

"Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, "This is from Allah," to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby." [Al Qur'aan 2:79]

So if you want to study something, study something authentic, which doesnt deny the original teachings of Moses,David, Jesus (pbut), so there is no denying, but you can do all the research you want and insha'Allaah you will come back to the Qur'aan, Islaam the message that all messengers came with.

If you do consider studying the Bible or any other book, then be sure to focus on what the messenger taught their follower to practice in their daily life, and see if that is what the followers are doing today.

format_quote Originally Posted by truthseeker63

Can Muslims read Books besides the Holy Quran and the Hadith I ordered a Book online written by a Muslim named Shabir Ally the Book is called is Jesus God the Bible says no I also have a Book about Science in the Quran I have a Book about Islam and Science in Medieval Spain ?

Of course , they can. Allah says so it in the Quran. Read the verse in my signature . it says you need to ask for the proof which destines us to hell and destines them to heaven

Can Muslims have a Cat or Cats for a pet or pets is this allowed also is it true that the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him had a Cat named Muezza also can the Pet Cat that Muslims have be of any color like a White Cat a Black Cat or a Brown Cat thank you Im asking this question because I know Muslims are not allowed to have Dogs as pets and or keep Dogs in the home also Cats are my favorite kind of Animal I love Cats they are beautiful ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muezza

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_animals

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/7004

Don't see the point in restricting internet. At most, 1 out of every 100 afghanis has access to the internet and I'm pretty sure the taliban themselves have a twitter account!

i know many ppl in pakistan without having access to internet and wallah they are happy and safe from many fitnas.