Diplomatic Interactions

Diplomatic Interactions

Examining the Position of Expediency in Diplomatic Relations from a Jurisprudential Perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Mohammad Mahdi Koohkan
PhD, Department of jurisprudence and fundamentals of Islamic law, University of Islamic Sects, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/dpiq.2025.527298.1041
Abstract
Introduction
Expediency is a concept that has its roots in jurisprudential rationality and is known as a tool for more accurately understanding the intentions of the Sharia and adapting rulings to the conditions of time and place. This concept has undergone significant developments throughout the history of Islamic jurisprudence, especially in the field of political jurisprudence, and has transformed from a theoretical position into a practical element in government decision-making processes. In the Islamic system, expediency, as a dynamic and adaptable basis, serves to ensure the major goals of the Sharia, such as preserving religion, life, property, offspring, and reason, and in complex and changing global conditions, it is considered a solution for linking fixed Islamic principles with the requirements of the time.
The central question is “What is the status of expediency in the diplomatic relations of the Islamic political system?”, this research explains the place and function of expediency in diplomacy and foreign policy from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence.
Therefore, the present study, with a combined view of jurisprudence and politics, attempts to clarify the position and function of expediency in the foreign relations of the Islamic system and to answer basic questions about how to recognize and apply expediency in foreign policy. This study can help develop the literature of Islamic diplomacy jurisprudence and also enhance the level of analysis in the field of strategic decision-making.
Literature review
Jurists, especially Sunni jurists, have studied Expediency in their works since the beginning of Islam as a way to achieve religious rulings. However, given that diplomatic relations is a concept that has been considered after the formation of modern states, there is no specific discussion of expediency in diplomacy and foreign policy in ancient jurisprudential and narrational texts;
In addition to the studies conducted, no research work has been observed that has independently addressed the position of expediency in diplomatic relations from a jurisprudential perspective. However, there are some studies that are somehow related to the subject of foreign policy and Islamic international relations.
Methodology
This research is of a practical type with an analytical-descriptive approach. Since the aim of the research is to explain the role and position of a jurisprudential concept in a macro-policy area, the analysis of jurisprudential texts and historical documents, relying on the ijtihad method and interpretation of religious texts, forms the basis of the work.
Data Collection Method
The method of collecting information in this research is library and documentary. The sources used include:
Jurisprudential sources (books of principles, jurisprudence, narrations)
Theological and interpretative texts
Works of contemporary scholars of political jurisprudence
Legal documents of the Islamic Republic (Constitution, statements, general policies of the system)
Historical examples of the life of the Prophet of Islam and the Imams in political interactions
Results
The main goal of the Islamic state is to secure the interests and Public welfare of Islam and Muslims and defend its existence. To achieve this goal, cooperation between all Islamic countries in the political, military, economic, social and cultural fields is essential for the defense of Islam and Muslims. This cooperation is a prerequisite for the brotherhood and sisterhood that Islam has established among Muslims all over the world. The Islamic state plays the most important and fundamental role in creating this cooperation that can secure the interests of the Islamic nation and lead the government to its goals. Islam, which is a universal religion, seeks the happiness of everyone in this world and the hereafter and the realization of a good life for all people. In order to achieve this goal, it supports human dignity. The foundation of the Islamic government system is based on justice and strictly prohibits oppression and being oppressed, and considers all people who are created from one father and mother to be equal in creation. The Islamic state is obliged to consider these principles in its foreign relations, as it is in its domestic policy, and to support and strengthen them.
In light of what has been said, the most important expediencies of the Islamic state's diplomatic relations are:

Efforts to form a unified Islamic nation.
Defending the rights of all Muslims and striving to establish comprehensive cooperation between Islamic countries in order to defend the essence of Islam and secure the interests of Muslims.
Rejecting oppression and accepting oppression by fighting against oppression and the arrogant and supporting the oppressed and the downtrodden.
Calling to Islam and striving to establish an Islamic state throughout the world through cooperation and collaboration with all Muslims.
Efforts to establish peace and peaceful life in the world.
Supporting the dignity of all human beings.

 Discussion
Islamic interests are the values, interests and basic needs of Islam and Muslims or the Islamic Ummah, which do not necessarily have a national or territorial origin or destination. According to another definition, Islamic interests are those goals that are chosen, without considering their national benefit or harm, and without having a territorial origin or destination and related to a specific nation, in order to develop and expand the Islamic faith, strengthen and honor Muslims, advance Islamic societies and prepare the stages of political unity of Dar al-Islam as a single pole of global power, develop and elevate the human, material and spiritual aspects of Muslims and progress towards an ideal society or a global government of Islamic justice and, specifically, in the Shiite vision, to lay the groundwork and prepare the groundwork for the era of revelation and the rule and government of divine justice in the world by the last infallible Imam (a.s).
Values, goals, and ideals such as preserving the integrity of the system, strengthening and expanding its values and ideals, protecting the Islamic government and the Islamic Revolution, strengthening and increasing the power of Muslims and the Islamic world, ensuring the security of the Islamic nation and Islamic lands, the independence and sovereignty of the Dar al-Islam, the political unity of the Islamic world, and the formation of a global Islamic community are among the most important interests of Islam.
Conclusion
Expediency, as a dynamic and rational axis of Islamic political jurisprudence, plays a vital role in the regulation of the diplomatic relations of the Islamic state. This research shows that expediency not only acts as a tool for aligning the fixed principles of the Sharia with changing international requirements, but also provides a legitimizing framework for strategic decision-making in the field of diplomacy. Expediency in the diplomatic relations of the Islamic state creates a bridge between the stability of the Sharia and strategic flexibility. By relying on jurisprudential mechanisms (such as the guardianship of the jurist and the objectives of the Sharia), this principle enables the Islamic state to respond to the changing challenges of the international system while adhering to religious principles. The success of this model requires that expediency always be carried out under the broad Islamic ideals (such as dignity, justice, and unity of the nation) and under the supervision of legitimate jurisprudential institutions.
Keywords
Expediency
Political jurisprudence
Islamic diplomacy
Aims of Sharia
Guardianship of the Islamic jurist

Subjects

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Diplomatic Interactions
Volume 2, Issue 8
Winter 2025
Pages 115-154