Calling to Nationalism is a Call to Ignorance

Question:

What is your opinion regarding the call to nationalism which says that belonging to a race or language is more important than religion? These groups claim that they are not against religion, but that they consider nationalism to be more important. What is your opinion on this claim?

Answer:

This call is ignorance and it is not to ascribe oneself to it, nor to encourage those who call to it. Indeed, it is obligatory to destroy it, because Islamic law orders us to combat it and drive it out, to refute their analogies and claims with answers which make the truth clear to those who seek it. For it is Islam alone that keeps alive the Arab character, language, culture and morality. To snub this religion is, in reality, to destroy the Arab character in its language, culture and morality. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the (Muslim) preachers to strive hard to spread the call of Islam, in order to defeat those who attempt to suppress it. It is well known that Islam necessitates the view that calling to Arab nationalism or any other kind of nationalism is a false message and a great error, and it is a clear abomination, loathsome ignorance, and a plot against Islam and its people. This is for many reasons explained in a book which I have called: A Critique of Arab Nationalism in the Light of Islam and Factual Evidence. I ask Allaah that He grant success to all in (following) that which pleases Him.

Source:
Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 1 Page 362