Islamic View of the US-Israeli Aggression on Iran

Under Islamic jurisprudence, when a Muslim land is attacked, its defence becomes an obligation upon those nearest — beginning with the Gulf states. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain have not only failed in this obligation but have actively facilitated the aggression by hosting American military bases and providing logistical support, constituting muwalat (alliance with aggressors against Muslims). Islam requires these states to terminate their alliances, expel foreign forces, and support Iran's defence. The fact that Iran is a Shia state with a compromised regional record does not alter this obligation — classical Islamic jurisprudence mandates the defence of Muslim lands against non-Muslim aggression regardless of the theological or political failings of those under attack.

Betrayers of the Inheritance (2) – Resistance Scholars vs Regime Scholars

The difference between the scholars of resistance and the scholars of the regime is not one of interpretation. It is one of allegiance. The scholars of the regime have allied themselves with the nation-state, with its borders, treaties, and strategic partnerships. They invoke fiqh only to neuter obligation, to convert jihad into illegal activism, and to criminalize solidarity as sedition. Their invocations of "wisdom" serve only to excuse cowardice.

Reexamining the Caliphate: Authority and Political Theory

The essay by Reza Pankhurst explores the decline of the caliphate up until its formal abolition in 1924, highlighting its transformation from a powerful institution to a mere symbolic figurehead. The caliphate originally served as a centralized political authority in Islam but became hereditary over time. Pankhurst discusses the historical and theoretical frameworks surrounding the caliphate, including differing views on its selection, authority, and legitimacy. The analysis reveals the complex evolution of Islamic political theory regarding governance, reflecting waning popular involvement in leadership selection and advocating for a potentially reformed model grounded in the original principles of shared authority among Muslims.

Muslims, Islam and the Question of Sectarianism

Sectarianism has become more prominent as a dangerous problem among Muslims again in the contemporary period, dating back to the Iranian revolution, and in the new millennium since the invasion of Iraq, and then the uprising in Syria leading to a civil war which has been characterised along sectarian lines. Before delving deeper into ideological … Continue reading Muslims, Islam and the Question of Sectarianism

Islamic IR Theory: The Dar Paradigm (3)

Common Discussions There are a number of reoccurring issues, confusions and misconceptions linked to the classification of the world into dar al-Islam and dar al-kufr. These include the number of classifications, taking the meanings of the classifications literally, conflation between classifications and rules related to issues as various as emigration, interest and fighting and the … Continue reading Islamic IR Theory: The Dar Paradigm (3)

Islamic IR Theory: The Dar Paradigm (2)

Islamic Scholarship and the Dar Paradigm There are numerous definitions of what constitutes dar al-Islam and dar al-kufr found among classical scholarship. A number of contemporary writers have compiled statements of scholars regarding the dar classifications – among them Juda’i (al-taqsim al-mamura fi-l-fiqh al-islami), Dr. Muhammad Haikal (al jihad wa-l-qital fi-l-siyassa al-shara‘iyya) and Dr. Abdul … Continue reading Islamic IR Theory: The Dar Paradigm (2)

Islamic IR Theory: The Dar Paradigm (1)

Introduction Since the abolition of the Ottoman caliphate, the Muslim community has faced the unique situation of the absence of a clearly defined political entity that represents the political unity of the Muslims and has an Islamic foundation in international relations. Alien forms of statehood were imposed from outside, creating secular nation-states where the basis … Continue reading Islamic IR Theory: The Dar Paradigm (1)