Title: Can a Muslim individual identify himself with his race as the first priority.Example: "I AM A MALAY FIRST" AND THEN SAYS I AM MALAYSIAN. Alternatively he/she says: "I AM A MUSLIM FIRST" AND THEN SAYS I AM MALAYSIAN MALAY.

Question: Assalamualaikkum wrb. Can a Muslim individual identify himself with his race as the first priority.Example: "I AM A MALAY FIRST" AND THEN SAYS I AM MALAYSIAN. Alternatively he/she says: "I AM A MUSLIM FIRST" AND THEN SAYS I AM MALAYSIAN MALAY. Wassalam

Answer ID: 21737Posted on: Aug 31, 2020

Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

(Fatwa: 700/700/M=1431)

The first priority of a Muslim should be the religion of Islam, i.e. firstly he should introduce himself as a Muslim then attribute himself towards nation and country. If sometime out of helplessness and compulsion one has to introduce oneself by race then there is no harm in doing so only for introduction.