The Need For International Relations For Peaceful Coexistence (Part Three)

By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 4 September 2025 Abstract: This study highlights the growing importance of international relations in Islam and its relevance in today’s interconnected world. Research in India, Pakistan, and the Arab world has produced many theses on Islamic perspectives of peace, diplomacy, rights, and global cooperation. Classical jurists’ works on al-Siyar and modern research offer valuable insights for developing this field. In times of rising human rights violations and Islamophobia, Islam provides balanced principles of peace, justice, and coexistence. Strengthening this discipline is essential for addressing global challenges like war, climate change, pandemics, and cyber security, ensuring human dignity, survival, and sustainable international cooperation. Main Points: 1. Islam guides peace, justice, tolerance, and dignity in global relations. 2. Early scholars’ al-Siyar writings provide the foundation for modern research. 3. Universities produce theses highlighting Islamic principles of international relations. 4. Comparative studies link classical jurists with modern global needs. 5. Global challenges require cooperation, dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful solutions. 6. International relations ensure survival, progress, peace, and human rights protection. ----- As times are changing, the relevance of this subject is increasingly being felt in universities and research institutions. In India Pak, doctoral theses are being written on international relations. At Aligarh Muslim University’s Department of Sunni Theology, several PhD dissertations in both Urdu and Arabic have been completed. For example, the author’s own thesis was “Religious Rights of Non-Muslims from the Khilafat - I- Rashidah to the Abbasid Era: An Analytical Study.” Similarly, scholars in Pakistani universities are also researching this topic. Professor Humayun Abbas, in the same article, lists the titles of several such dissertations, including: “The Diplomatic System of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs,” “The Islamic Law of Peace and War and Its Role in the Establishment of Peace,” “Globalisation in an Islamic Perspective,” “The Rights of Prisoners of War: Geneva Conventions and Islamic Teachings,” “The International Relations of the Islamic State in the Light of Qur’an and Sunnah,” “The Foreign Policy of the Modern Islamic State,” “International Relations between Muslims and Non-Muslims,” and “Principles of International Relations: In the Light of the Letters and Treaties of the Prophet (peace be upon him).” These, along with many other works, have highlighted important aspects of the subject. The Contemporary Need to Develop International Relations in Islam: In light of the facts and evidence presented, it can be said that this subject needs further development and its modern dimensions must be highlighted. The principles and guidelines established by the early and later scholars should be taken into account, while at the same time ensuring harmony with contemporary requirements. From the social, economic, cultural, religious, and political perspectives, it is essential to strengthen this field. The demands of the present age require that the efforts of Muslim scholars and intellectuals in international relations should not fade away; rather, they must be promoted for the benefit of humanity. At a time when violations of human rights are increasing, Islam alone stands as a balanced faith and a real force that raises its voice against injustice and guarantees the protection of human dignity and rights. Islam not only instructs the building of harmonious relations in times of peace, but even in times of war its teachings safeguard the sanctity of humanity. Whether in defence or offence, Islam commands tolerance, safety, peace, and reconciliation with human beings. To bridge the growing divide between human communities, the true representation of Islam and its principles of international relations must once again be brought to the forefront, so that no one—deliberately or mistakenly—may accuse Islam. Guiding humanity from misguidance to the straight path is not only our religious duty but also a constitutional right. This need becomes even more urgent when civilisations and ideologies turn away from human welfare, for at such times eyes inevitably turn towards Islam, which in every era has provided humanity with protection and survival in a systematic manner. Today, the Western world is trapped in an artificial “Islamophobia.” To counter this, serious academic work on international relations in Islam must be carried out in all accessible languages. In this regard, there are several important areas worth addressing. For instance, the works of the early scholars on al-Siyar can serve as the foundation for detailed books. Likewise, the writings of later jurists also contain valuable discussions under the heading of al-Siyar, which can be revisited to explore various dimensions of international relations. Since modern researchers in universities are showing increasing interest in this subject, and a number of theses have already been written, there is scope for fresh, critical, and objective studies in light of contemporary needs. In Indo Pak, Urdu fatāwā exist in large numbers and play a vital role in social and communal life; these can be used to expand the discourse of international relations. A comparative study between the views of classical jurists and those of modern scholars can produce significant results. Similarly, a large number of Urdu journals in the subcontinent cater to scholarly needs. Many of them are intellectual and research-oriented, such as Maʿārif (Azamgarh), Taḥqīqāt-e-Islāmī (Aligarh), Muṭālaʿāt (Delhi), Mahnāmah Dār al-ʿUlūm (Deoband), and Islām aur ʿAṣr-e-Jadīd (Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi). Research articles on international relations published in these journals could form the basis of further studies. Equally, the critical studies of Western thinkers on this subject need scholarly examination. In the Arab world too, universities are producing dissertations on this topic, which deserve to be assessed as well. Such efforts will reveal new intellectual dimensions, contributing positively to social needs and the cohesion of pluralistic societies. The points mentioned here are only brief indications. Undoubtedly, as awareness grows in our academic and intellectual institutions, experts and thinkers will bring forward new and original perspectives. It can be concluded that while much work has already been done on international relations in Islam, many important aspects still remain to be explored. conclusion, it seems appropriate to state that the significance of international relations in today’s world is extraordinary. The present era is marked by rapid scientific and technological progress, the vast expansion of media, and the growing trend of globalisation. The world has now shrunk into the form of a “global village,” where a political, economic, or social crisis in one region can affect the entire globe. Against this backdrop, the nature and direction of relations between nations and states play a decisive role in peace, security, and development. The greatest significance of international relations lies in its role in establishing peace and reducing the threat of wars. Likewise, trade agreements, environmental conventions, and human rights charters demonstrate that in the modern world, no state can secure its progress or safety in isolation. Another key aspect of the relevance of international relations today is that it unites nations in addressing common challenges. Issues such as climate change, pandemics, cyber security, and energy crises are global in nature rather than national, and can only be confronted through mutual cooperation. For this reason, dialogue, collaboration, and tolerance between both large and small nations have become the greatest need of the time. Thus, it can be said that the contemporary importance of international relations is not confined to the diplomatic or political domain alone, but serves as a guarantee for human survival, progress, and global peace. In today’s interconnected world, the success of any nation depends on the extent to which it is able to build constructive, positive, and sustainable relations with others. ---- Earlier Parts of the Article: The Need for International Relations for Peaceful Coexistence (Part One) The Need For International Relations For Peaceful Coexistence (Part Two) URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/international-peaceful-coexistence-part-three/d/136713 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism