Islamic Jurisprudence Strategy on Taqῑyya (Dissimulation) in Islamic International Relations

Abstract

Today, Islamic jurists are obliged to have a proper communication with the international system through using taqῑyyah (dissimulation) in the light of preserving the glory of Islam. Using the descriptive-analytical method with the aim of explaining the strategy of Islamic jurisprudence regarding dissimulation in international relations and meeting the need for preserving the interests of the Islamic system in order to secure citizenship rights and consolidate the state's position, this research presents a conceptual framework of the word "dissimulation", explains the legitimacy of using dissimulation in Imamῑ jurisprudence, the comparison of dissimulation with similar concepts such as hypocrisy (nifāq), flattery (mudᾱhana) and concealment (tawrῑya), as well as, how to use it in international relations, regarding the moral and legal dimensions. As a result, the use of dissimulation in the international system is evident in cases such as maintaining the Islamic government, maintaining state's secrets, promoting foreign policy, and proximity between Islamic denominations. However, it seems that the attitude of some domestic and western jurists towards the concept of dissimulation is somehow different from its main concept in Imamῑ jurisprudence. The lack of semantic similarity or the confusion of dissimulation with concepts such as mudᾱhana (compromise) and tawrῑya with the intellectual background of creating Islamophobia, has distorted its use. Therefore, the failure to meet the criteria of dissimulation in the international system makes it necessary to provide a correct conceptual framework for it and how it affects peace-orientation by changing the attitude towards understanding Islamic teachings. Thus, we believe that the correct application of dissimulation in the international system provides the capacity of positive communication between the Islamic system and the international systems.

Keywords

• dissimulation
• proximity of islamic denominations
• preservation of islamic state
• keeping secrets
• international relations.