International Humanitarian Law and Siyar: A Comparison

This monograph delves into the complex relationship between classical Islamic jurisprudence and modern international humanitarian law. Drawing from a comprehensive review of existing scholarship, which predominantly addresses the legal aspects of warfare in classical Islamic thought, this book expands the conversation by identifying the foundational and ontological similarities between Islamic law and contemporary international humanitarian law. While secondary literature has often compared the Islamic concept of jihad with just war theory, this work takes a different approach, seeking to bridge the gap between Islamic legal traditions and modern frameworks of international law. It further explores how an Islamic perspective on global international relations could emerge, either through an Islamic interpretation of international law or by distinguishing it from modern theories of international relations. This volume offers a fresh and nuanced analysis, shedding new light on the historical and legal foundations that could shape future discourse in both Islamic and global contexts. It is an important read for scholars of religion, international law, Islam and political science.