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Sajjadi S A Q. An Introduction to the Meta-Theoretical Foundations of Islamic Theorizing in the Field of International Relations. SRQPIS 2025; 1 (4) :1-24
URL: http://srqpis.knu.edu.af/article-1-50-en.html

Today, there are serious questions regarding the role of religion—especially Islam—in international affairs. The discussion surrounding the presence of religion and Islamic thought in political and international matters is an old one; however, it has never received as much serious attention as it does in the current era. The Islamic Revolution of Iran and its impacts on the international system, the events of September 11, the spread of the discourse of resistance in the Islamic world, and the growing influential role of Islamic thought in international relations have highlighted the significance of Islamic discourse in international relations more than ever before.
The claim of Islam’s presence in international affairs has now brought forth a serious question: Is an Islamic theory of international relations possible or inherently impossible? The Western nature of existing international relations theories and their neglect of religion—especially Islamic discourse—have made it more necessary than ever to revisit existing theories and strive toward developing an Islamic framework for international relations. While some scholars advocate for the formulation and establishment of an Islamic theory of international relations, others cast doubt on the very possibility of such an endeavor.
The central question of this article is: What are the meta-theoretical foundations of an Islamic theory of international relations? In response, this study uses an exploratory method to explain the meta-theoretical foundations of Islamic international relations theory through three main principles: ontological, epistemological, and methodological. According to the author, the principle of initial permissibility (ibahah) in ontology, the comprehensiveness of Islamic Sharia in epistemology, and the principle of ijtihad and derivation of specific rulings from general Islamic principles in methodology, constitute the most important meta-theoretical foundations for Islamic theorizing. These can play a constructive and effective role in the development of Islamic international relations theory.