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jihad and the islamic law of war - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

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question 8<br />

universal treaties <strong>of</strong> today. <strong>The</strong> terms Dar al-Islam <strong>and</strong> Dar<br />

al-Harb are not terms from <strong>the</strong> Qur’an or from <strong>the</strong><br />

teachings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prophet, but grew out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong><br />

jurists coming to terms with <strong>the</strong> new international pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />

<strong>of</strong> Islam. As such, <strong>the</strong>y also coined terms such as dar alsulh<br />

(“abode <strong>of</strong> reconciliation”) <strong>and</strong> dar al-‘ahd (“abode<br />

<strong>of</strong> treaty”), referring to those l<strong>and</strong>s not ruled by Islam<br />

but with which <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islamic</strong> state had some sort <strong>of</strong> peace<br />

agreement. Such designations were common from <strong>the</strong><br />

Abbasid period all <strong>the</strong> way through to <strong>the</strong> Ottoman Empire<br />

in <strong>the</strong> 20th century.<br />

From <strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong> view <strong>of</strong> <strong>Islamic</strong> <strong>law</strong>, <strong>the</strong> gradual adoption<br />

<strong>and</strong> advancement <strong>of</strong> moral principles in international<br />

<strong>law</strong> is a welcome development, <strong>and</strong> brings <strong>the</strong> world closer<br />

to <strong>the</strong> Qur’anic ideal <strong>of</strong> non-aggression <strong>and</strong> peaceful coexistence.<br />

And if <strong>the</strong>y incline to peace, incline unto it, <strong>and</strong> trust in<br />

God. Lo! He, even He, is <strong>the</strong> Hearer, <strong>the</strong> Knower. (Al-Anfal 8:61)<br />

This idealization <strong>of</strong> peace is also echoed in <strong>the</strong> Prophet’s<br />

comm<strong>and</strong>, “Do not be hopeful <strong>of</strong> meeting <strong>the</strong> enemy, <strong>and</strong><br />

ask God for well-being.” 11 9<br />

is forced conversion an <strong>islamic</strong> teaching?<br />

some texts exist which would, if misunderstood,<br />

27

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