Ahmadiyya Times - Staff News By Qamar Ahmad | for Atlanta Muslim Examinar
For a soldier, the question of divided loyality arises when his religion is put in the balance with his country. In this situation, Islam's stance is simple. It doesn't ask Muslims to choose between one or the other. Rather, it recognizes one's natural love towards his/her home, country and nation. "Love of the homeland is part of one's faith" declared Muhammad peace be upon him. Thus, Islam expects its followers to be loyal to their respective countries without exception. By serving their country sincerely and to the best of their capacity, Muslims serve God as well.
"Officers of Government, assistants, clerks, every one: your obligation to carry out orders or directions issued to you by the Government is a special and a serious one. When Government makes a thing binding, then, there can be no deviation, not even by a hair-breadth. Honest belief implies nothing else. When a person elects to serve a Government, forthwith he enters into a solemn covenant. It is that he will be unsparing, sincere and honest in carrying out the duties and obligations assigned to him. If he breaks the covenant, he makes himself answerable both to Government and to God. He engenders his faith, his relation with God."
Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud, al Muslih, June 18, 1953
A faith claiming universality whose adherents come from all nations cannot require otherwise. As such a Muslim soldier will not find any contradiction between serving his country and serving his God. This is true even when faced with Muslim opponents in the battlefield.
"This belief of ours is not of our making. It is a belief taught by God and explained by His Prophet. It is a belief we cannot alter or dilute. If loyalty to their respective Governments results in the killing of Muslims by Muslims, well that is there and, there is nothing more to be said or done. It is but a consequence, an obligation entailed by our religious belief. Principles have priority over persons. Persons may be sacrificed for the sake of principles, not principles for the sake of persons. Such mutual killing will be forgiven by the Wise and Merciful God of the Qur'an. It will be the result of His own teaching, of conditions, over which we have no control."
Mirza Bashir Ahmad, The Question of Divided Loyalty, Some Parallels From History
Read more: Do Muslims make good soldiers?
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