The Concept of Jihad in Islamic International Law

Warwick School of Law Research Paper

Journal of Conflict & Security Law, pp. 321-343, Oxford University Press, 2005

Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2005

23 Pages Posted: 1 Nov 2009

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

In the post 11 September 2001 legal and political environment, Islam appears to have become one of the most misunderstood religions. Islam has been equated with fanaticism, intolerance, violence and wars of aggression – the classical Jihad ideology is often deployed to cast doubts on the compatibility of Islam with modern norms of international law as enunciated in the United Nations Charter. Much confusion stems from the fact that Islamic international law and Islamic laws of armed conflict have not received due attention in western legal scholarship. The concept of Jihad has arguably been central to many modern conflicts including that of resistance to US occupation of Iraq (2003–2005), the struggle for self-determination in Kashmir (1947–2005) and the Palestinian struggle for reclaiming their land from Israel (1948–2005). This article seeks to provide a jurisprudential analysis of the concept of Jihad. Amidst controversies surrounding Jihad, the authors attempt to contextualise the concept and relate the discussion to contemporary norms of International law as established by the United Nations Charter. The authors identify the conditions under which Jihad is permissible in Islamic law in the light of its various sources. The distinction between dar-al-harb (abode of war) and dar-al-Islam (abode of Islam) is presented as this issue impacts on laws of war in Islam. The significance of humanitarian principles within Islamic international law as well as in Islamic humanitarian law is highlighted. Self-exertion in peaceful and personal compliance with the dictates of Islam (constitutes) the major or superior Jihad.

Suggested Citation

Ali, Shaheen S. and Rehman, Javaid, The Concept of Jihad in Islamic International Law (2005). Warwick School of Law Research Paper, Journal of Conflict & Security Law, pp. 321-343, Oxford University Press, 2005, Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1496327

Shaheen S. Ali (Contact Author)

University of Warwick ( email )

Gibbet Hill Rd.
Coventry, West Midlands CV4 8UW
United Kingdom

Javaid Rehman

Ulster University ( email )

Northland Road
Londonderry, BT48 7JL
Northern Ireland

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