INTERNATIONAL PRACTICES

During the final years of the Prophet of Islam, two individuals in Arabia falsely claimed prophethood. One was Musaylimah ibn Habib from Yamamah, and the other was Aswad ibn Khaff from Sana’a. In the 10th year of the Hijra, Musaylimah sent a letter to the Prophet of Islam. The contents of the letter were as follows:

“From the Messenger of God, Musaylimah, to the Messenger of God Muhammad. Peace be upon you. To proceed, I have been made a partner with you in the matter of prophethood. Therefore, half the land is for us and half the land is for the Quraysh.”

Musaylimah sent two messengers to deliver the letter to Madinah. Their names were Ibn al-Nawaha and Ibn Usal. The narration continues:

“I heard the Prophet of Islam say when the messengers of the liar Musaylimah arrived with his letter: ‘Do you both say what he says?’ They replied, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet said, ‘By God, if it were not for the fact that messengers should not be killed, I would have had both of you executed.’” The narrator, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, says: “Thus, the Sunnah was established that messengers should not be killed.” (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 5, pp. 51-52)

This prophetic tradition reveals an important principle of Islam. It suggests that in international matters, international customs will be followed. Every era has its own norms for international relations, and in the current era, the United Nations has organized these practices.

All such customs will be regarded with the same respect in Muslim countries as they are in non-Muslim countries. However, if any aspect of these practices clearly involves something prohibited, then that particular part will not be followed. For example, if alcohol is included in hospitality arrangements at international meetings, a Muslim has the right to refrain from participating in that aspect.