Publication Details
The Islamic Tradition of Diplomacy
This Insight explores the Islamic diplomatic tradition, which has developed over the centuries through sustained engagement with the Qurʾān and the Sunnah that shaped Muslim political and diplomatic conduct. Beginning with the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, whose practices established the earliest precedents of coexistence, treaty-making and respect for emissaries, it argues that Islamic diplomacy emerged as a pragmatic, value-driven approach rather than a rigid ideological system. Today, Muslim-majority states operate within an international system defined by sovereign equality and global interdependence. The UAE in particular has demonstrated how Islamic values can support stability, prosperity and constructive global engagement, and has shown how modern diplomacy can align with Islamic ethical tradition without adopting ideological or theological frameworks.
