Brief Concept of Citizenship in Islam

The meaning of citizenship is a status of a person that legally being a member of a nation and had the right and the obligation determined by the nation.

Being a citizen means that a muslims also has a rights, duties or obligation, participations and identity of a nation. Where Islam itself is not a religion that isolated their people from their activity and society, both human social status must go along with the religion. And Islam also bring justice and peace among their people.

How Al-Qur’an and Hadith View of Human Relation to Others

“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression.

He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, (O believers), and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allah, over you, a witness. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.” (QS. An-Nahl : 90-91)

From the above verse we could summarized that Allah do command His people to always conduct a good deeds not only for Him, or fellow muslims, but also to all mankind in the world and natural surroundings.

Muslims are forbidden to perform immorality and harmful actions since Islam always teach their people of peace in any kind of way. Allah SWT also command us as muslims to always kept our oath to others especially if those oaths made by the witness of Allah SWT. Read also : benefits of being Islam

As citizen we muslims have an obligation and duties which bound by an oath made with our nation or citizenship. And Allah clearly give command to His people not to break our oath indeed we are encourage to fulfill it. Rasulullah SAW also give an orders to Muslims for having a great relations with others in the following hadith :

“The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind (Narrated by Daraqutni)

 

“The best of you are those who feed others and return greetings.” (Narrated by Abu Ya’la)

From the above hadith it is clear that muslims should give their best to help others, to befriend with other mankind.

Islamic Though of Citizenship (Concept)

“The best of people are those who are best in fulfilling (rights).” (Narrated by Ibn Majah)

Islam is a religion that made for the entire universe and a blessing for the world and all its content including all the creature made by Allah SWT (rahmatan lil’alamin).

Therefore in their though and view islam always push to creat a brotherhood, peaceful and create hamonise among all mankind. Islam is a religion that do not restrict itseld to one nationality rather than any other else, it teach muslims that all race and nations are equal in the face of Islam. [AdSense-B]

In order to that a muslims should behave as good as possible wherever they are, including where they live and in what nation or authority they were. Read also : importance of morality in Islam

This verse will reminded us as a muslims, actually what is our essence in this world,

“O you mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (QS. Al-Hujurat : 13)

The above verse said that we should get along with other people and be the righteous.

But to understand the concept of Citizenship muslims must pay attention on the following though:

1. A State or Country is a medium

Which means that they are a tools or medium for it citizens to implement their will, hope and purpose including a way to rule and control their problem and needs in the will of society.

2. The practice of a State or Nation is written in Al-Qur’an

The command to solves the problem by discussion is written in the following verses,

“And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is (determined by) consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend.”(QS. Ash-Shuraa : 38)

The verse explained that muslims should determined and solve their problem by discussion with others, it means that we can not live alone in this world neither live just among our group or faction. We must unite to solve the problem that may exist now and then. Read also : importance of Repentance in Islam

3. A State or Nation is a tool

“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instruct you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing. O, you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best (way) and best in result.” (QS. An-Nisa : 58-59)

The verses strongly refer to us that as muslims we should enforce justice and obey an authority where we living on. It may refers to a concept of state or nation, and one of the role being citizen is those things. [AdSense-C]

So the position citizenship is very important in Islam, since a state or nation is a tools to enforce the Islamic though in social life perfectly and effectively. Read also : importance of forgiving others in Islam

4. A Good Muslim is a good citizen

Citizenship is an identity and also a form of recognition that we are part of a nation or state which will automatically made us responsible of the duties given from nation or state to their citizen. Both rules, laws, and the government must be honored.

Islam as a religion always encouraged their people to fulfill their duties, oath, and role of social creature.

“And We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it.

So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method.

Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation (united in religion), but (He intended) to test you in what He has given you; so race to (all that is) good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will (then) inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.” (QS. Al-Ma’idah : 48)

It is an intention of why Allah create us in diversity, so we as muslims should appreciate others and be helpful to them. Read also : importance of relations

From the above explanation we could conclude that citizenship is a part of Islam and our role of muslims to be part of the society. As long as it is made for good purpose and do not again the will of Allah SWT and His Massenger than it will be a good deed for us.