Al-Haddad: Islam Promotes Comprehensive Citizenship, Love of One’s Homeland

Dr. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Haddad, Member of the Muslim Council of Elders, Member of the UAE Fatwa Council, Senior Mufti, and Director of the Fatwa Department in Dubai, affirmed that Islam came to promote citizenship in its comprehensive sense—one that is based on harmony and cooperation among all members of society to achieve social cohesion and mutual support in times of need. 

This, he noted, was exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) upon his arrival in Madinah, where he promptly laid the foundations of citizenship among the people of the city through what is known as the Charter of Madinah. The Charter preserved the rights of all citizens—regardless of their religion or tribal affiliation—including the tribes of Aws and Khazraj, as well as the emigrants.

His Eminence made these remarks during the ninth episode of the Ramadan program Human Values with the Elders, which is broadcast on the official social media accounts of the Muslim Council of Elders. 

He emphasized that every member of a nation bears the responsibility of protecting and defending their homeland against anyone who seeks to harm it, so that society may remain safe and secure, where people support and protect one another. He noted that the saying “Love of one’s homeland is part of faith” reflects this principle, as true faith and Islam are not complete without a sense of peace and stability. If fear overwhelms a person—whether for their life, wealth, or family—they will be unable to properly fulfill their religious and social obligations. 

Therefore, every individual must live in peace and security in their homeland and serve as a faithful guardian of it, just as they would protect themselves.

Dr. Al-Haddad added that this sense of responsibility must stem from a deeply rooted psychological conviction before it becomes a legal obligation. Without such inner conviction, a person may remain indifferent to the loss or destruction of their homeland. 

This has been a recurring and observable reality throughout the history of the Muslim world, both past and present—homelands have only been compromised when national consciousness was absent.

 Almighty God offers a powerful example in the Glorious Quran of the consequences of both national stability and decline, as He says: “And Allah presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allah. 

So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.” (The Quran, 16:112) This, Dr. Al-Haddad said, is a vivid and divine warning to those who endanger the safety and security of their nations.