subject: Treaties in Islam: Fulfilling Covenants as Part of God's Covenant [print this page] Treaties in Islam: Fulfilling Covenants as Part of God's Covenant
The Islamic Umma can enter into treaties with other states according to dictates of Islam.
The Umma may not break a treaty unless the other party breaks the conditions of the treaty promulgated by the two parties.
Muslims must fulfil their commitments of the treaties as part of their covenant with God, for God stands witness and holds their covanants to account in this world as well as in the Hereafter:
Fulfil the covenant of God when you have entered into it, and do not break your oaths after you have confirmed them: indeed you have made your God your surety; for God knows all that you do.' 16: 91
For the worst of beasts in the sight of God are those who deny Him: they will not believe. They are those who with whom you did make a covenant, but they break their covenant every time, and they have no fear of God.' 8: 55-56
If evidence of treachery on the part of the unbelievers, whom the Muslims entered into pact with, then the Islamic Umma can denounce their pact of treaty with them:
If you fear treachery from any group, throw back (their covenant) to them (so as to be) on equal terms: for God does not love the treacherous.' 8: 58
Prisoners of war
Muslims in a state of war may not take prisoners of war until they subdue the enemy. The Qur'an specifies this act:
No messenger should have prisoners of war until he has subdued the land thoroughly. You seek the temporal goods of this world; but you should seek the hereafter.' 8: 67
Treatment of prisoners of war should be administered in the best of manners:
The righteous they feed, for the love of God, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive (of war), (saying), "We feed you for the sake of God alone: No reward do we desire from you, nor thanks. We only fear a day of distressful wrath from the side of our Lord.' 77: 8-10
The practice of Muhammad in dealing with prisoners of war in Medina was in accordance with the Qur'anic command. Prisoners of war were released from captivity by rendering honourable services to Muslims like teaching their children for a fixed term, for imprisonment is not allowed in Islam. Likewise, no hostage taking is allowed in Islam. Such practices as hostage taking and terrorism are completely against Islamic principles and considered to be criminal actions punishable by Islamic law.
All out war engaging all Muslims is prescribed in defensive wars against disbelievers who fight Muslims for their religion, e.g. wars against Muslims at the time of Muhammad in Medina 620-632.
Treaties in Islam: Fulfilling Covenants as Part of God's Covenant
