Foreign Policy in Islam

Foreign policy is one of the key aspects of socio-political life of nations. The main point of this article is to see if the realm of ‘foreign policy’ is a post-Westphalian phenomenon or Islam, as an inclusive divine religion, has anything to offer in this regard. The article observes that there is a pattern of ‘Islamic foreign policy’ and explains its main principles. As Islam is the religion of peace and mercy, it concludes, the foreign policy of an Islamic state has to promote peaceful coexistence, cooperation, stability and healthy relations with other nations, as it has to secure the independence and dignity of the Islamic Ommaht (Nation) and promote a ‘just and fair world’ for all. The author believes that Islamic foreign policy is a combination of idealism and realism and has high applicable potentials to maintain the dignity, independence, growth and development of Islamic nation-states, as the experience of the Islamic Republic of Iran indicates.