States do not go to heaven : towards a theory of Islamic agency in international relations / [print]
Meshari Alruwaih.
- Richmond, Surrey, UK ; Herndon, Virginia : The Intenational Institute of Islamic Thought, (c)2013.
- xxi, 75 pages ; 23 cm
Includes bibliographical references.
"Reclaiming reality" : human agency as vicegerency -- The Khalifah is not allowed in : the ontological barriers to Islamic agency in international relations -- The Khalifah in international relations.
"This book compares and contrasts Islamic worldviews and Western theoretical perspectives on international relations to suggest that a combination of the two could lead to a mutually beneficial redefinition of contemporary international relations utilizing Western theoretical tools and incorporating an Islamic perspective. Particular focus is given to the Islamic concept of istikhlaf as an ontological and normative foundation. The reasoning being that all man-made social arrangements on earth , as well as international society, should be considered a realm of istikhlaf. This allows for return to an eternal and critical first principle, linking all social roles to this principle, which is that man as designated by the Qur an, is God s khalifah or Vicegerent on earth. It s a statement of great magnitude. This radical approach has required serious engagement with some deeply held assumptions of Western International Relations theory including the subsequent distinction between the casual responsibility of the state on the one hand, and the moral responsibility of statesmen on the other. The result is an ontological terrain in which Islamic actors in international relations are theoretically re-linked to Allah as his Vicegerents and the structure of modern international society assessed according to the normative foundations of istikhlaf." --