Do borders and passports go against Islam?

Where the question comes from

Some people hear that "the Muslim ummah is one nation" and wonder whether lines on a map are un-Islamic. It's true that in early Islamic history a person could travel from Spain to India without a passport. It's also true that the Quran never makes your passport the measure of your worth:

The verse continues that the most noble in Allah's sight is the most righteous. So nationality is a fact of life, not a source of pride or a test of faith.

Why most scholars accept passports and visas

• They protect order. Borders help a state manage security, trade and public services, which Islamic law also cares about.
• They are an agreement. When you apply for a visa or pass through immigration, you accept the conditions. Muslims are told to keep their agreements and covenants (Quran 5:1, 17:34).
• Islam had its own versions. Early Muslim states issued safe-conduct (aman) to foreign visitors, which worked a lot like a visa.

So holding a British, French or US passport is completely normal for a Muslim. See Do I have to move to a Muslim country after becoming Muslim?

What Islam does ask of you

Islam doesn't ask you to ignore borders. It asks you to be truthful on visa forms, to respect the rules of the country you enter, and to treat migrants and refugees with dignity. A Muslim can also criticise a border policy they feel is unjust, peacefully and through lawful means. See What does Islam say about immigrants and refugees?

The ummah is a bond of the heart

The unity of Muslims is about faith, prayer and caring for each other, not about removing passport control. A convert in Ohio and a grandmother in Jakarta face the same qibla and say the same Fatiha. That bond doesn't need a shared passport to be real.

Practical passport questions come up too, like photos for women who wear hijab. See Can I take off my hijab for a passport or ID photo?