A Reminder After the Tragedy in Al-Fashir: Rejecting Tribalism, Racism, and Nationalism

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah, What happened in Al-Fashir-the killing of innocent women, children, and civilians by militias motivated by tribal and racial hatred, with reports of the death toll well over 2,500-is not just an isolated horror. It shows a deep spiritual sickness in our Ummah: asabiyyah (tribalism, racism, and nationalism). Scholars describe asabiyyah as siding with one’s people in falsehood or boasting in lineage as if it gives superiority. It blinds the heart to justice and fills the soul with arrogance. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned about this and said that those who fight or support such partisanship die the death of ignorance (Jahiliyyah). When people boast of noble ancestry or claim “pure” blood, or praise a nation or tribe as superior, it mirrors that same poisonous pride. Allah looks at our hearts and deeds, not our tribe or appearance. When Muslims replace taqwa and humility with tribal or national pride, they lose the honor Islam brought them. We can see asabiyyah in small things too-using demonyms or slurs to demean others, or cheering for “my group” simply because of birthplace or lineage. The Prophet (peace be upon him) condemned that kind of partisanship and told people to abandon it. Our current divisions owe much to this disease. Umar (RA) reminded us that we were humbled before Islam and were given honor through it; if we seek honor elsewhere, Allah can humble us again. Scholars from the Salaf warned that calling to nationalism or lineage above Islam is dangerous and leads to disgrace. Acting out of tribal love and hating others for their lineage is a sign of a sick heart. Many contemporary scholars have echoed this warning. Calling to nationalism or elevating one’s country, tribe, or people above Islam is a grave error and can become like an idol in the heart. Fighting for nationhood or national pride rather than for the path of Allah is misguided and brings defeat and humiliation. As we grieve the victims in Al-Fashir and the many other tragedies caused by tribal and racial arrogance, let us look inward and in our communities. How often do we let pride of lineage, nationality, or tribe blind us to injustice or strip others of their rights? Let the blood of the innocent there not be in vain. May it wake our hearts and move us to truly struggle in the way of Allah-not with slogans or performative outrage but by rooting out hatred, resentment, contempt, and arrogance from our hearts. Let us pledge to abandon the ways of ignorance, to rebuild our communities on love, mercy, and taqwa, and to honor those who were killed by returning to the teachings of Islam and the example of the righteous predecessors. Never think Allah is unaware of the oppressors’ deeds; He delays them only for a Day when eyes will stare (14:42). In loving memory of the innocent women, children, and civilians killed by the oppressors-may Allah forgive them and grant them the highest ranks of Paradise. Ameen.