Fanaticism

It is absolutely logical for a person to love his community and family. It is a mistake to label such a person as fanatic. According to the teaching of our Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), it is not fanaticism to love one’s family or community. However, if one sides with a person or a partisan despite him being at fault, then this is fanaticism. For example, if a foreign driver has met into an accident in your locality and you blame him despite the fact that it was the victim who was at fault; then it means you are siding with the person in your locality even though he does not deserve it. So, by siding with him, you have put the blame on an innocent person. This is called fanaticism and you become a fanatic when you do that.

A Muslim must love his Muslim brother. Nonetheless, he must not side with him if he is at fault. To love a Muslim does not mean to do injustice to someone else. Islam teaches to love, help, stay and live with one’s people without harming others. One is not a fanatic in doing such. One is a real sympathiser. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"A (true) Muslim is a brother for (another) Muslim. He does not oppress him nor does he forsake him (for others to oppress him)."

[English version of "Le fanatisme" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.9]