Lecture 7 on Islamic Theory of IR PDF

Lecture on Islamic Theory of International Relations Course: Theories of International Relations Fall 2024-2025 Department of International Relations University of Sharjah M. Moniruzzaman  Outline 1. Islamic Ontology and Epis...

Lecture on Islamic Theory of International Relations Course: Theories of International Relations Fall 2024-2025 Department of International Relations University of Sharjah M. Moniruzzaman  Outline 1. Islamic Ontology and Epistemology 2. Unit of analysis 3. Classical Islamic IR thought and theories 4. Modern Islamic IR thought and theories 5. Conclusion  Islamic IR Ontology and Epistemology Ontology: Islamic worldview Tawheed Risalah Akhirah Man (Human Being): as Khalifa Universal mission of Man: Submission to God Epistemology: The Quran and the Sunnah  Unit of analysis Man Khalfa, subordinate role, rational being, cooperative Ummah The universal believing spiritual community Belief, not geography that binds State Physical social location, exists to realize the Khilafa The Humanity The entire humanity is subject  Classical Islamic IR Thought and Theories Bipolar International Structure: Large empires Dar al-Islam Dar al-Harb Multipolar International Structure Dar al-Islam Dar al-Harb Dar al-`Ahd/sulh Dar al-Amaan  Classical Principles of Interactions 1. Competition on power over ideological supremacy 1. The entire world, in principle, is subject to Islamic subjugation directly or indirectly 2. War (qital) is necessary if needed to establish Islamic supremacy 3. Jihad is a continuous policy 2. Confrontation and conflict over Haqq (truth) and Batil (falsehood) 3. Non-forceful, non-imposition of Islam, but the call to submit to Islamic supremacy is open and continuous 4. Temporary contractual peaceful co-existence is possible under certain circumstances 5. Contracts and treaties are inviolable, mutual peace is  Great Classical Thinkers 1. Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan ibn Farqad al-Shaybānī (‫أبو عبد الله محمد بن الحسن‬ 805-749/50 ;‫)بن فرقد الشيباني‬ Major work on IR and International Law: al-Siyar al-Kabir 2. Imam al-Shafi 3. al-Mawardi  Modern Islamic IR Thought and Theories Global Context: 1. International Structure: Nation-state System 2. Community of nations 3. Independence and sovereignty 4. Respect to Territorial integrity 5. Non-interference Muslim world Context: 6. Ummah divided into nation-states 7. National identity and exclusiveness 8. Self-help  Modern Islamic IR Thought and Theories AbdulHamid Ahmad AbuSulayman Towards an Islamic Theory of International Relations: New Directions for Methodology and Thought (1987) Argued that – The classical framework is essentially legalistic (Fiqhi approach) The classical framework was static (fixed bipolar system) In the world today, we need- An Islamic framework based on political  Five Basic Principles Five basic principles of Islamic IR 1.Tawhid 2.Justice 3.Peace, mutual respect and cooperation 4.Jihad 5.Respect and fulfilment of commitments  Seven Basic Policies 1. Abandonment of war as the basis of foreign relations 2. Adoption of diplomatic reciprocity and alliances 3. Principles of positive neutrality 4. No aggression (udwan) 5. No tyranny (tughyan) 6. No corruption/disorder (fasad) 7. No excesses (isfar)  Conclusions Islam offers a complete framework for IR The Islamic framework is based on ideological, moral values with universal outlook The classical framework was legalistic and static based on bipolar worldview with certain leverages The modern framework is bound by nation-state framework and essentially moralistic and utopic