Asbiyat (tribalism or group bias) has been a deeply destructive force throughout history. Islam denounces it as the “Pukar of Jahiliyyah” (call of ignorance). This exploration of the concept from pre-Islamic Arabia to the Pak-Afghan region shows how people continue to weaponize Asbiyat to create division and conflict.
In pre-Islamic times, loyalty to one’s tribe was paramount, leading to endless bloodshed. The Aus and Khazraj tribes were locked in constant rivalry before the arrival of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) referred to this as Jahiliyyah—ignorance and arrogance that shattered unity. His mission was to replace tribalism with the universal brotherhood of the Ummah.
Islam does not deny ethnic or tribal identities, but it places the Ummah’s unity above all other allegiances. In the Qur’an and Hadith, tribalism (Asbiyat) is condemned as a force that divides.
Prophet (SAW) said:
“Whosoever possesses in his heart ‘asabiyyah (prejudice in any of its forms such as tribalism, racism, nationalism) even to the extent of a mustard seed, God will raise him on the Day of Resurrection with the (pagan) Bedouins of the Jahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era)”
In another Hadith Prophet SAW said:
“The one who exerts ‘asabiyyah or the one on whose behalf it is exerted, the tie of faith is taken off his neck.
Tribalism in the Pak-Afghan Region
Let’s talk about the Pak-Afghan region, where tribalism has long been a source of conflict. Pashtun nationalism, sectarianism, or ethnic divides use Asbiyat to drive violence and instability. Modern movements often rebrand these divisions, presenting themselves as defenders of human rights, while in reality, they perpetuate the same tribal loyalties.
The colonial period and later global powers deepened these ethnic and tribal divides, pushing entire communities toward conflict. What started as movements for tribal or ethnic identity morphed into violence, benefiting external forces. The war on terror further fragmented the region, where the manipulation of ethnic divisions weakened national unity.
Movements like the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM)—what begins as a call for rights often transforms into an outlet for tribal and ethnic Asbiyat. This is a pattern we see repeatedly: groups presenting themselves as defenders of justice but using ethnic identity as a divisive force.
Asbiyat Hidden in Identity Politics
The language of human rights and identity politics now cloaks Asbiyat, making it harder to identify. Yet the consequences are clear: tribalism and ethnic conflict continue to ravage the Pak-Afghan region, where divisions between Pashtuns, Hazaras, and other ethnic groups fuel unrest. This manipulation benefits those seeking to destabilize the region.
The Shariah perspective offers the solution: unity above all. Loyalty should be to Allah and the Ummah, not to tribal or ethnic superiority.In this context, embracing brotherhood and collective progress requires rejecting Asbiyat, rather than remaining trapped in the divisive politics of ethnic pride or sectarianism.
PAYF Insights are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for wider consumption.