PSCI 2750 - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Bachelor of Political Science, KIRKHS, IIUM #slidepoli

1. Islamic Theory of International
Relations
Traditionalism. Pacifism.

2. Islamic Theory
• Legal foundation of IR in Islam is based on Shari’ah.
• Original sources of Shari’ah are the Qur’an and
Sunnah.
• Derived from Shari’ah is Fiqh, Islamic jurisprudence,
which covers a myriad of problems and issues.
• Muslim jurists have different opinions about the
organising principle of foreign relations in Islam.

3. Differences of Opinion
1. Traditionalists believe that foreign relations
originally depend on the attitude of non-Muslim
groups/states toward Islam and Muslims. Thus, the
basis is fight but with certain conditions.
2. Pacifists believe that the origin of foreign relations
is peace, “there is no compulsion in religion”
(2:256).
• Differences: attributed to divergent exegetes of the
Qur’an in their approach to analyse and understand
the related Qur’anic verses.

4. There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The
right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever
disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most
trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing
and Knowing.

5. Traditionalism and War Theory
• Traditionalism is based on two assumptions.
1. The world is divided into two: Abode of peace
and abode of war. Fight is the governing
principle.
2. Preaching Islam is the main goal of the Islamic
state. Disbelief is a justification to fight
unbeliever enemies.

6. Traditionalism and War Theory
1. Division of the World.
1. Dar al-Islam. Where Islam dominates, submission
to God is observed, peace and tranquility
reigned.
2. Dar al-Harb. Where Islam does not dominate,
territories under the hegemony of the
unbelievers and hostile to Muslims.
• A place is not an abode of Islam where Muslims’ lives,
property and faith are not safe although its ruler may
be a Muslim.

7. Traditionalism and War Theory
2. Preaching Islam as Religious Duty
– Inviting people to Islam is a religious duty the
Islamic state should perform because Islam is a
universal religion. By force if absolutely
necessary.
– Four stages:
1. During first period of Qur’anic revelation and while
the Prophet SAAS was in Makkah, jihad referred
essentially as nonviolent and personal struggle.

8. Traditionalism and War Theory
2. Following hijrah and the establishment of Islamic
state, the Qur’an began incorporating the word qital
and fighting in self defense.
3. Later, when capabilities of Islamic state increased,
Muslims were commanded to fight only those who
fight them but not transgress limits.
4. After the battle of Badr, fight was imposed as a
general principle that should be used not only to
deter aggression, but also to invade pagans in their
land in order to stop mischief and corruption on
Earth.

9. Traditionalism and War Theory
Commanded not
to fight (non-
violent and
personal struggle)
Permitted to fight
in self-defense
Commanded to
fight only who fight
them
Fight becomes a
duty (against
enemies).

10. Pacifist Theory of IR
1. One World
– The world is one part. The division of the world
into two parts was just an emergency matter,
resulting from “the frequent attacks on Islamic
lands.”
– Today, all Muslim countries have diplomatic
relations with almost all nations. Thus, the
provisions of Dar al-`Ahd or Abode of Covenant
must be applied.

11. Pacifist Theory of IR
2. Peace is the Organising Principle
– Fight as organising principle contradicts “no
compulsion in religion.” (2:256).
– If preaching Islam is the main justification to
resort to war, this is no longer valid, because
Muslims are allowed to preach their religion in
many non-Muslim countries including the West
(in most cases, they also enjoy legal rights to
practice their religion freely).

12. Pacifist Theory of IR
3. Building Power for Deterrence
– Building power is encouraged in Islam but only
for deterrence and self-protection.
– “Against them, make ready your strength to the
utmost of your power.” (8:60)
– Building power and capabilities must be a way of
not only avoiding wars and conflicts, but also
achieving peace and stability.

13. And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of
steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your
enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom
Allah knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully
repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.

14. Pacifist Theory of IR
4. Restricted Conditions to Use Force
– If we refer to all battles of the Prophet SAAS, we
find that they were launched due to:
1. Actual aggression occurred on the Muslims
2. Presence of a real intention to attack Muslims
3. Actual aggression against Muslims in non-Muslim
states

15. Pacifist Theory of IR
5. Denouncing retaliated Wars
– While the Qur’an commands Muslims to use force
only in self-defense or when their lands are
occupied, it commands Muslims not to retaliate or
return evil for evil.
– “Fight in the cause of God those who fight you,
but do not transgress limits; for God loves not
transgressors.” (2:190).

16. Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not
transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.

17. Pacifist Theory of IR
One World
Peace among
Nations
Building
Power for
Deterrence
Using Force
for Self-
Defense
Denouncing
Retaliated
Wars