Diplomacy theory and practice in Islam

Abstract

This study tries to elaborate on Islamic theories of diplomacy according to the practices and patterns set by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Companions. The theories include: the universal characteristics of Islam, the meaning and principles of Islamic diplomacy, its objectives, categories, and rulings, etc., which are related to the topic of diplomacy in Islam. A special attention is given to jihad and the peaceful relations towards others. Moreover, the dissertation discusses some important issues, such as the necessary characteristics of diplomats and their functions during peaceful duration as well as war time; it elaborates applying diplomatic mediums and means, providing privileges and immunities, conducting negotiations and concluding treaties in the field of international relations. Finally, the dissertation deals with some important traditional concepts, like dhimmah and aman, etc. However, the researcher has studied, clarified these concepts as well as has done his best to bring them into light by discussing the arguments of Muslim jurists and professionals of the international relations compared with the legal injunctions of the Islamic Shari‘ah, which those Muslim scholars have applied for defending their arguments. Due to the nature of the topic, the researcher has relied on four major methods through his study, i.e.: the deductive method for moving the mind from some issues of diplomacy to other issues, which are the results; the inductive method for referring to the issues of diplomacy through collecting the opinions of Muslim jurists from the different schools of the Islamic jurisprudence; the analytical and comparative methods for analyzing the classical texts related to the topic, discussing and comparing the opinions of Muslim jurists, then giving preference in accordance with the rules of tarjih (preference). The researcher through his study has reached some academic findings and the most important of which is that Islamic diplomacy, which has been founded on the light of the Holy Qur`an and the Noble Sunnah, is an art of conducting the external relations and preserving the objectives of the Islamic State vis-à-vis other states, or international organizations, by applying the wisdom, the intelligence and the best manners. With regard to the original attitude of the Islamic State towards others, it is confirmed that the central theme in the Islamic external relations is peace. Accordingly, we find that whatever is related to the diplomatic principles and privileges, which the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations declared in 1961, have already been practiced by the Islamic State throughout history. There are other results, which the researcher has reached in the conclusion of this humble dissertation.