By Abdullahi Jamaa
It has been the nature of early Muslims not to rely too much on the governments of the day. Instead they assisted the state in kind and in cash. They wholeheartedly worked with governments.
It is the duty of every patriotic citizen irrespective of religion, race and tribe to make sure that the society transforms and develops.
Islam teaches tolerance, not hatred; universal brotherhood, not enmity; peace, and not violence. In the spirit of patriotism, Kenya Muslims are expected to adhere to the rule of law.
Here is a list of four ways to be a patriotic Kenyan Muslim:
- Honouring the constitution
During his reign, the beloved prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAW) entered into an agreement with non-Muslim Meccans in the treaty of Hudaibiyah. He signed and allowed the enforcement of a ten-year armistice between the two communities.
Living with people of other religions is tolerated in Islam and having a set of common laws to govern communities has been a practice just like the treaty of Hudaibiyah.
The Kenyan constitution recognises the freedom to worship, meaning that you are allowed to practice your religion.
You can remain true to your religion, practice your religion the way of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and abide by the constitution of Kenya.
Just like any man-made laws, the constitution may not be perfect. Don’t expect perfection from human beings but expects it from Lord, the creator.
To be patriotic Kenya Muslim means to respect the right of other Kenyans. We can only achieve this through honouring the laws between them and us-The Constitution
- Respecting the leadership
It is a good practice of Muslim s to respect the leadership of a community. The presidency is a symbol of national unity, respecting the president is a duty of every Kenyan not just Muslims.
The religion of Islam wants the people who have some leadership properties and attributes both in public life and in private life to be obeyed and their commands to be fulfilled.
Irrespective of political, tribal or religion affiliations, in as long as the president is the representative of the people, respect becomes a national duty, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
- Protecting public resources
Public resources belong to every Kenyan, the young and the old, the poor and the rich, the Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
Every public coin belongs to each and every one of us. Every public office belongs to all of us. We own everything together.
Utilizing public resources requires a great sense of ownership. As Kenya Muslims, our attitude towards public resources should include protecting all community resources.
Protecting public facilities and infrastructures such as roads, bridges, airports, schools, offices, hospitals, all fall on our shoulders.
It is a must for a Muslim to safeguard what belongs to the community. It is a must to fight corruption and embezzlement of public resources.
As Muslims we must show high level of integrity as taught by our beloved prophet (SAW). Remember the prophetic words ““whoever cheats us, is not one of us” 
- Paying taxes
Imagine the embarrassment that you feel when visiting a public facility while you very well know that you did not contribute.
Imagine living while relying on the expense of others. As Kenya Muslims, we have an obligation to take part in payment of taxes.
We all want better hospitals, better schools and better roads. But we must all contribute to this course, Muslims and Non-Muslims alike.
And remember what Winston Churchill “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
