All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Love for one’s homeland and a sense of belonging to it are innate feelings that human nature is predisposed to. When a person is born in a land, grows up on it, lives among its people, and interacts with them, it is only natural that their instinct will connect them to it, leading them to love and belong to it. There is no contradiction between patriotism—when understood in a balanced manner—and the teachings of Islam. Any claim of a conflict between the two stems from a misunderstanding of Islam’s principles and rulings.
Likewise, there is no contradiction between love for one’s homeland and the concept of the Ummah (the whole community of Muslims bound together by ties of religion), for the strength and security of nations contribute to the strength and unity of the Ummah.
Thus, the word Watan (homeland) is an authentic Arabic term that has been used by scholars and jurists since ancient times. Linguistically, Watan refers to a person's dwelling place, as mentioned by Ibn Faris in Mujmal Al-Lugha (p. 930). The author of Maqayis Al-Lugha (6/120) stated: "The word watan is a correct term. Watan refers to a person's dwelling place, awṭān al-ghanam refers to the resting places of sheep, and Awṭantu Al-Arḍ means "I took the land as a homeland."
The word Watan appears in books of hadith and Fiqh. In a hadith narrated by Abdur-Rahman Ibn Shibl, he said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) forbade three things: "Pecking like a crow, resting one's forearms on the ground like a predator, and allocating the same place for prayer like a camel gets used to a certain place. [Ahmad and An-Nasa'i].
In the books of jurisprudence, Imam Al-Shirbini (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions the concept of watan in various contexts. For instance, in his discussion on the rulings of shortening and combining prayers (Jamaa’ Wa Qasr), he says: "If a person has become a resident (Muqim) by returning to his home country or by his intention, he is not permitted to shorten his prayers or take the concession of travel until he leaves his homeland, prioritizing the status of his home country." [Mughni Al-Muhtaj/Vol. 1/P.519]. In his discussion of the punishment for Zina (adultery), he also states: "A foreigner from the city where he committed Zina is exiled to a different place, and if he returns to his homeland, he is prohibited from returning. This is according the most correct opinion. This is because the aim is to isolate him by keeping him away from his homeland." [Mughni Al-Muhtaj/Vol. 5/P.449].
Indeed, Allah, The Most Blessed and Exalted, has granted special merit to the Muhajirun (The converts to Islam and the Islamic prophet Muhammad's advisors and relatives, who emigrated from Mecca to Medina) because they left their homelands in the way of Allah. Leaving one's homeland is a difficult and challenging matter for the soul. Allah Says in the Qur'an (What means): "And the first forerunners [in faith] among the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. And He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. That is the great attainment." [At-Tawbah/100].In a narration from Abdullah Bin Adi Bin Harith (May Allah Be Pleased with him) said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) standing on the Hazarah and he said: "You are the best of Allah's lands and the most beloved to Allah. If it were not that I was expelled from you, I would never have left you." [At-Tirmidhi]. Imam Al-‘Ayni (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Allah tested His Prophet with the separation from his homeland." [Umdat Al-Qari/Vol. 10/P.251].
In Sahih Al-Bukhari, it is narrated: "Whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) returned from a journey and saw the heights of Medina, he would urge his camel to go faster." Al-Imam Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "This hadith indicates the virtue of Medina and the legitimacy of loving one's homeland and longing for it." [Fath Al-Bari/Vol. 3/P.621].
In the Quran, Allah, The Almighty, has linked the love of land with the love of oneself. He Says (What means): "And if We had decreed upon them, 'Kill yourselves' or 'Leave your homes,' they would not have done it, except for a few of them." [An-Nisa/66].
In conclusion, the word "watan" is an Arabic term that has been used by scholars and jurists since the early days of Islam. It is neither a newly coined term nor secular in nature. In fact, love for one's homeland and defending it are religious duties. The Constitution of Medina, which united all its inhabitants on matters related to the city and its land as a homeland, serves as a historical example of this concept. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
