Can practising Aussie Muslims be Loyal to Australia?
Of course! In fact, a recent study actually found that 84% of Aussies said they can be a good Muslim and a good Aussie.(Akbarzadeh, 2009).
As stated by His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the 5th Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
“A fundamental principle of Islam is that a person’s words and deeds should never manifest any form of double standards or hypocrisy. True loyalty requires that relationships are built on sincerity and integrity.
Therefore, it is essential for citizens of any country to establish a relationship of genuine loyalty and faithfulness to their nation. It does not matter whether one is a born citizen, or whether they gain citizenship later in life through immigration or by other means.”
Islam completely honours the fact that one must always be loyal to the country in which they reside.
We highlight that according to Islamic teachings, God Almighty has forbidden all forms of treachery or rebellion,
Surely, Allah loves not the treacherous [8:59]
This is because rebellion or acting against the state is a threat to the peace and security of a nation. We pledge our loyalty and obedience to this peaceful nation of Australia. We believe that this amazing land of the free deserves complete allegiance from every single one of its inhabitants. For Aussie Muslims, loyalty is not just a personal choice – in fact, it is a requirement of the Islamic faith.
For those who falsely proclaim that obedience to a nation or government requires that the leaders of that nation are of the same faith as them, the Holy Quran says:
O ye who believe, obey Allah and obey the Prophet and obey those in authority from among you [4:60]
We believe that loyalty and obedience to a nation and its government should not depend on the faith of its leaders!
In fact, it is absurd to assume from the verse above that “those in authority from among you” only means Muslims in authority.
This verse prescribes obedience to those in authority irrespective of their faith, culture or creed. “From among” (in Arabic) also means over or of or in. The verse teaches decorum and discipline in public affairs. It makes loyalty towards any ruling authority an Islamic duty.
The teachings of the Holy Prophet also portray these same concepts in practice, he instructed:
Whoso obeys the ruler obeys me, and whoso disobeys the ruler disobeys me (Muslim).
We cherish and are thankful for the freedom, peace, and security that Australia has.
And to be thankful for all this is also part of our faith!