This slide will tell us more detail about Islamic Diplomacy.

1. Islamic Diplomacy
• Introduction
• General Traits of Arab Foreign Relation
During the Prophet Days
• Diplomatic System & Institution
• Criteria of Selecting Diplomatic Officers
from Islamic Perspective
• Implementing Steps to reach an agreement
• Diplomatic Immunity & Privileges
• Conclusion

2. Islamic Diplomacy
• Influenced by Arab cultural values &
recognized international laws.
• Individual & State conduct primarily
based on 2 sources:
i. Al-Quran
ii. Prophet’s Hadis (p.b.u.h.)

3. General Traits of Arab Foreign
Relation During the Prophet
Days
• Basic rules guided relation between
Muslims & other people: SALAM
• Recognized other States’ rights to
exist & independence/sovereignty
• In self-defense, Muslims allowed to
fight back, but not to initiate
hostilities.

4. Diplomatic System & Institution
• Diplomatic Agents:
• Ambassador is known: SAFIR
• A delegation of diplomatic representative: WAFD
• Envoys present letter of credentials to host States
e.g. Prophet’s cousin, Jaafar, to Negus of
Abyssinia
• Exchanging envoys/diplomatic agents
e.g. Harun Al-Rashid exchanged with
Charlemagne both envoys & gifts.
e.g. Saad bin Abi Waqqas (conqueror of Persia) was
the first envoy to China.

5. Quranic verse describes exchange
of envoys between the prophet
Sulaiman (Solomon) & Bilqis, Queen
of Sheba (992-952 B.C.).
Surah al-Naml (27:23-44)

6. Criteria of Selecting Diplomatic
Officers from Islamic Perspective
• Selection of ambassadors based on:
i. Capability
ii. Trustworthiness
• Nizam Al-Mulk in his 'Siyasat Nama' (the
Book of Politics) suggested :
i. ‘Bold' in speaking but does not say too much;
ii. Traveled widely;
iii. A portion of every branch of learning;
iv. Retentive of memory & far-seeing;
v. Tall & handsome;

7. Embassies (Safarah)
• No resident embassies.
• Envoy/delegation could be dispatched for
a particular mission & return back as soon
as mission accomplished.
e.g. Prophet sent envoys:
i. Other Arab tribes,
ii. Abyssinian Negus,
iii. Monarchs of Persia and
Byzantium.

8. Negotiation
• Diplomatic procedure in which State
representatives in direct personal contact
or through correspondence,
• Engage in discussion of matters of mutual
concern,
• Attempt to resolve disputes arisen
between them.
• Main objectives is to reach an agreement,
whether based on a treaty or on mutual
understanding.

9. 4 Steps to be Implemented to
Reach an Agreement with Another
Party
i. Preliminary negotiation
ii. Negotiating & composing treaty text.
iii. Concluding an agreement by
signing it & recording by witnesses.
iv. Process of finalizing an agreement:
ratification.

10. i. Preliminary Negotiation
In Al- Hudaibiya Treaty
• 1st stage: Qurayshites sent a delegation of 3 envoys.
• Purpose: Explore intentions, to evaluate
situation & probably convince the
Muslims to reconsider the plans.
• 2nd stage: Qurayshites sent another delegation of 3
envoys.
• Purpose: Discuss the terms of an agreement.
e.g. Emissaries was Othman ibn
Affan & Omar ibn al-
Khattab.

11. ii. Negotiating & Composing
Treaty Text
In Al-Hudaibiya Treaty
• Through the process of negotiation between
Quraish negotiator, Sohail bin Amr & the
Prophet,
• Objections raised as to the terms the
prologue, parties credentials & legal
provisions of the agreement.

12. iii. Concluding an Agreement by Signing
it & Recording by Witnesses.
In Hudaibiya Treaty
• Signed by Prophet & Suhail.
• Prophet Muhammad fixed his seal on the document,
& was attested by several witnesses from both
parties.
• e.g. Ali ibn Abi-Taleb, who was the scrivener of
the treaty also signed it as a witness.

13. iv. Process of Finalizing an Agreement:
Ratification
• Hudaibiya Treaty ratified by the
nobles of the involving parties.
(Ahl-ul Hal wal Aqd )

14. Diplomatic Immunity
• Al-Quran & Sunnah & consistent practice
of Muslim leaders established privileges
& immunities of diplomatic agents.
• Diplomatic agents entitled to:
i. Immunity from prosecution,
ii. Freedom from arbitrary arrest &
detention
iii. Proper care & treatment.

15. Example:
• After the taking of Mecca between A.D. 630
& 631, Prophet granted foreign envoys &
their staffs/ servants with immunity &
preferred treatment.
• They were not to be molested, mistreated,
imprisoned, or killed.

16. Aman
• Basis of immunities & privileges: Aman
(safe conduct)
• Given to diplomatic agents who sought
safe entry into a Muslim country.
• Aman legally binding privilege that
obligates a State to protect the beneficiary
until his departure from its territory.
• State may revoke Aman & expel the
beneficiary
 The only limitation on this freedom was the
act of spying.

17. Diplomatic Privileges
• Muslim rulers received foreign envoys with courtesy
& honor.
• Nizam al-Mulk: ambassadors are monarch’s
representatives & they should be treated as such.
• Diplomatic envoys exempted from taxes
• Goods carried by the envoy for commercial purposes
subjected to taxation
• e.g. Abu Yousuf, well known Islamic
legislator in the Abbaside period, stated
that an envoy who brought materials for
trading would pay 1/10 tax after
conducting the sale.

18. Conclusion