IRD publishes book on law of war and peace in Islam

Islamabad: Prof Muhammad Munir, a professor of law and vice-president of the International Islamic University, has authored a book titled ‘The Law of War and Peace in Islam: Causes and Conduct of Jihad and Non-State Islamic Actors under Islamic Law’.

The IIU's Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue published the book, which is a well-researched comprehensive account of the Law of War and Peace in Islam. It basically challenges the contemporary treatment of war and peace that's mainly driven by the behaviour and conduct of militants rather than the rich textual tradition.

Prof. Dr Muhammad Munir is currently the vice-president Administration, Finance and Planning at IIU, while he has received his PhD from University of Karachi. He is a Professor of Law at the Department of Law. He has also served as Director-General Shariah Academy of the IIU and he is having over 40 articles on his account which are on jurisprudence, Muslim family law, human rights and issues in Pakistani legal system.

The book earlier published by Edwin Mellen Press focuses on the concept of jihad as it has been the subject of vigorous academic writings since 9/11.

The writer says a common man’s perception of Islam is to judge it to a large extent through his view of actions of the non-State Islamic actors such as al-Qaeda, Daish, Boko Haram, or local jihadists organisations such as the Taliban rather than by the principles of Islamic law.

“Professor Munir follows a classic approach to Islamic law, always careful and cautious to remain within the mainstream of Sunni thought in the Hanafi tradition. His book is an important addition to the literature on the subject and it will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of Islamic law, at least to English reading audiences.” Said Professor Emeritus M. Cherif Bassiouni, DePaul University.

“What distinguishes this work from all the others is its all-embracing approach and depth of its analysis,” said Professor Said Mahmoudi of the Stockholm University.