Refugee Status in Islam: Concepts of Protection in Islamic Tradition and International Law

Authors : Mawahib Khalil M Hassan

Pages : 47-50

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Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :The book is a detailed examination of the concept of jiwār (protection) in Islamic tradition and compares it with international law, in particular the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951. The book is based on 15 centuries of Arab and Islamic history and analyzes numerous ancient sources; it is the first comprehensive study to compare Islamic principles of jiwār with modern international refugee law. The book is structured into six chapters. Chapter 1 exploring jiwār (protection) during the Jāhiliyya (pre-Islamic) period. Drawing on historical sources like poetry, biographies, and tribal genealogies, jiwār is defined as an agreement where one party mustajīr requests protection, and the other mujīr grants it (p.19). In pre-Islamic Arabia, jiwār was a vital social institution, obligating tribes to protect those seeking refuge, even at the risk of conflict or material loss. Seeking jiwār was neither shameful nor uncommon, driven by factors like environmental hardship, tribal persecution, or property disputes.
Keywords : civâr, mücir, müstecir