This article by an Islamic scholar describes the principles governing international
law and international relations from an Islamic viewpoint. After presenting the
rules and principles governing international relations in the Islamic system,
the author emphasizes the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in the
internal affairs of other States and the aspiration of Islam to peace and harmony.
He goes on to explain the relationship between Muslims and others in peacetime
or in the event of war and the classical jurisprudential division of the world into
the abode of Islam (dar al-islam) and that of war (dar al-harb). Lastly he outlines
the restrictions imposed upon warfare by Islamic Shari’a law which have attained
the status of legal rules.

Volume 87 Number 858

Born in 1932 in Dir ʿAtiyah, near Damascus, into a devout family; his father was a Quran memorizer and farmer (alkawtharcentre.co.za, researchgate.net).

• Completed primary and secondary education in Damascus, graduating top of his class in 1952 (nzt.eth.link).

• Studied at Al‑Azhar University in Cairo, earning a B.A. in Sharia (1956) and a diploma in Arabic, alongside a law degree from Ain Shams University (1957) (alkawtharcentre.co.za).

• Obtained an M.A. in Sharia (1959) and a Ph.D. (1963) from Cairo University; his dissertation compared Islamic jurisprudence and international law, earning top honors (Sharaf Ula) (alkawtharcentre.co.za).

🎓 Teaching & Scholarly Career

• Joined University of Damascus as an assistant professor in 1963; became full professor by 1975; later headed the Department of Islamic Law in the Faculty of Sharia & Law .

• Served as visiting professor in Libya (University of Benghazi, 1972–74), UAE (1984–89), Sudan (Khartoum, Omdurman), and at the Islamic University in Riyadh (nzt.eth.link).

📚 Publications & Intellectual Contributions

• Authored over 60 books and major references:

  • Al‑Fiqh al‑Islami wa Adillatuh, an encyclopedic multi-volume work on Islamic jurisprudence (researchgate.net).

  • Al-Tafsir al‑Munir, a 17-volume modern Quranic commentary acclaimed for its clarity and breadth (islamicjournals.com).

• Renowned for bridging Sunni jurisprudence with international and secular law; particularly in Islamic international law, as demonstrated in his ICRC paper, Islam and International Law (2005) (qa.edu.vn).

🤝 Religious & Academic Engagement

• A leading Shāfiʿī jurist and Ashʿarī theologian, known for his balanced “manhaj wasatiyy” (moderate approach) (wadahutara.blogspot.com).

• Held memberships in key scholarly bodies: Royal Society for Islamic Civilization (Jordan), Islamic Fiqh Academy (Jeddah), and Islamic Fiqh Academies in the U.S., India, Sudan (nzt.eth.link).

• Served as a legal adviser to Islamic financial institutions and as imam at the Othman Mosque in Damascus and the summer Badr Mosque in Dir ʿAtiyah (nzt.eth.link).

🕊️ Legacy & Passing

• Passed away on August 8, 2015, leaving a profound legacy across Islamic jurisprudence, Quranic exegesis, and law (alkawtharcentre.co.za).

• His works are widely studied in Islamic universities globally, influencing modern Islamic law and its integration with contemporary legal frameworks .

✨ In Summary

Sheikh Wahbah al‑Zuhayli was a towering figure in 20th‑century Islamic scholarship:

• Jurist and theoretician – master of Shāfiʿī jurisprudence with deep insight into international legal systems

• Authoritative commentary – his Fiqh al‑Islami and Tafsir al‑Munir remain cornerstones of modern Islamic thought

• Educator and adviser – whose academic and religious roles shaped diverse Muslim communities and institutions

His balanced scholarship and prolific writing continue to nurture Islamic legal education worldwide. Would you like to explore one of his works or teachings in greater depth?