The reply to the first question: There is no doubt that the call to make pan-Arabism the first tie among the Arabs is groundless. It is an atheistic call. Advocates of pan-Arabism aim to fight Islam and escape its rulings and teachings. Such a call can be launched by some who do not aim to realize such objectives, but they call for it, imitating and thinking good of others. If those people knew the target of such a corrupt call, they themselves would fight it and keep away from it. A person who has little knowledge about the history of pre-Islam Arabs, knows that the Arabs were of no importance before Islam. Through Islam, the Arabs conquered many countries and ruled almost the whole world. Out of the power of Islam, the Arabs were a reprehensible, respectable nation, but when they changed, Allah (Exalted be He) changed their affairs.
Verily, Allâh will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allâh). But when Allâh wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning back of it, and they will find besides Him no protector.
I do not want to repeat words needlessly on this topic for the limited space of the newspaper. The truth is as clear as crystal and beyond question for those who have the least knowledge about the Arabs and Muslims.
So hold you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭ ﺳﻠﻢ) fast to that which is revealed to you. Verily you are on the Straight Path. And verily this (the Qur'ân) is indeed a Reminder for you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭ ﺳﻠﻢ) and your people (Quraish people, or your followers), and you will be questioned (about it).
Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book (the Qur'ân) in which there is Dhikrukum,(your Reminder or an honour for you i.e. honour for the one who follows the teaching of the Qur'ân and acts on its teachings). Will you not then understand?
If the call to pan-Arabism aims to unite the Arabs who have common benefits to fight their enemy and drive them out of their occupied lands, this is not the right way to realize such a noble aim. The only way to achieve this end is to return to the faith of Islam, which honored them and through which they ruled the world and to adhere steadfastly to the tolerant teachings and wise rulings of this religion. To realize this end, the Arabs should adopt the rulings of the faith of Islam for their relations with others and always judge by it. Thus, the Arabs will unite, realize their common benefits, overcome
their enemies. In addition, they will have good returns both in this world and in the Hereafter.
O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allâh, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.
Verily, Allâh will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allâh is All-Strong, All-Mighty. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) enjoin Iqamat-as-Salât [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salât (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakât and they enjoin Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islâm has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur'ân as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allâh rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures).
Allâh has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islâm). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me.
There are many Qur'anic Ayahs to this effect. The best to be cited in this regard is a statement made by Malik Ibn Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, "Nothing will reform the affairs of the late generations of this Muslim nation but that which had reformed the affairs of the early generations." Indeed, this statement is great and true.
Oh Allah! Settle our affairs and reform our rulers and all Muslims, as You are the best to answer invocations!
The reply to the second question: It is totally unfair and absurd to draw a comparison between Islam and panArabism. Does panArabism without Islam have any merits to be compared with Islam?! It is totally unfair to neglect the teachings and principles of Islam and focus on what is called panArabism. How can wise people draw a comparison between nationalism, which might have been supported by Abu Jahl, `Utbah Ibn Rabi`ah, Shaybah Ibn Rabi`ah, and other enemies of Islam, if they were alive and an honorable religion that suits all times and places, and its supporters and advocates are Muhammad (peace be upon him), Abu Bakr AlSiddiq, `Umar Ibn AlKhattab, `Uthman Ibn `Affan, `Aly Ibn Abu Talib, and other Companions, as well as those who followed their guidance,
who defended Islam with their souls? Only the insane, blind imitators and enemies of Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him) who draw a comparison between such nationalism with its characteristics and supporters and the faith of Islam with its characteristics and supporters. It is like a comparison between dung and pearls or between messengers and devils. Whoever fathoms the depths of such a comparison can realize that the comparison between pan Arabism and the faith of Islam has a greater danger on Islam than the comparison referred to above. How can a comparison be drawn between nationalism, where Hellfire will be the end of whoever dies advocating it, and the faith Islam, where Paradise will be the end of whoever dies adhering to it?
Oh Allah! Guide our people and us to the Straight Path, as You are Able to do all things!