The Qur'anic and Western Concept of Nationality: A Comparative Study of Selected Exegeses

قرآنی و مغربی تصورِ قومیت : منتخب تفاسیر کا تقابلی مطالعہ

Abstract

Nationalism is one of the most influential concepts in modern political and social thought, shaping collective identity, political allegiance, state sovereignty, and social organization. This study comparatively examines the Qur’anic and Western conceptions of nationalism with particular reference to selected Qur’anic commentaries and major Western theories of nation and nationalism. The Qur’anic perspective is analyzed through the concepts of Ummah, faith, human equality, moral responsibility, justice, brotherhood, and diversity, while the Western conception is explored through territory, language, shared history, cultural memory, political sovereignty, and national identity. Employing a comparative and analytical approach, the study evaluates the intellectual foundations, principles of unity, criteria of distinction, patterns of allegiance, and socio-political implications of both frameworks. The analysis demonstrates that the Qur’anic model establishes collective identity primarily on revelation, faith, moral values, justice, and universal human dignity, while modern Western nationalism largely derives its cohesion from historical, territorial, cultural, and political factors. The study concludes that although both frameworks seek social cohesion and collective organization, they differ significantly in their sources, ultimate objectives, conception of sovereignty, and foundations of communal identity.