نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانش آموخته کارشناسی ارشد دیپلماسی و سازمان های بین المللی، دانشکده روابط بین الملل وزارت امور خارجه
2 استادیار پژوهشگاه فرهنگ و اندیشه ی اسلامی
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) was sent as a prophet to a society characterized by a rigid class system—a society that divided people into different strata based on material and pre-Islamic (Jāhili) values such as lineage, wealth, status, gender, and military power. Consequently, one of the principal objectives of the Prophet's mission was to combat this erroneous belief and replace it with the concept and principle: "Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you" (Q. 49:13). Clearly, such a reform necessitated a redefinition of the status and role of human beings and the articulation of new criteria, such as piety (taqwā) and universal human principles. To achieve this goal and to spread Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula, alongside engaging with tribal chieftains and even rulers of neighboring states, the Prophet (SAWA) paid particular attention to the common people and the various societies of his time. Sending letters was one of the methods adopted by the Prophet (SAWA) in his interactions with tribal leaders, foreign rulers, and ordinary people. Through these letters, he sought to win hearts and minds (ta'līf al-qulūb), articulate a new definition of the criteria for excellence, and redefine social structures from an Islamic perspective. In his spiritual and Islamic invitation, the Messenger of God (SAWA) addressed both the leaders and the common people of tribes and nations, and in some cases, directly addressed individual members of a tribe or community without any intermediary. This approach is also observable and analyzable in the treaties (covenants) of the Messenger of God (SAWA), as all of the Prophet's writings carry a propagational and communicative burden. In public treaties, the objective was not merely to produce a written text but to convey a message through the text, thereby demonstrating through this medium that every human being is personally addressed by God and the call of Islam. This method and style of communication and interaction represent a specific form of diplomacy, known today as public diplomacy. Despite numerous and valuable studies on the Prophet's biography and conduct (sīrah), treaties, correspondences, and international relations, this particular perspective on his correspondence has received less attention. Few studies have focused specifically on examining the distinct components of public diplomacy within these letters. Existing research has either analyzed the Prophet's epistolary style or, from a general perspective, examined the broad characteristics of these letters without selecting criteria specific to public diplomacy.
This article seeks to investigate, using an explanatory method and library-based sources, the hypothesis that the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), while establishing direct communication with foreign rulers and tribal leaders, placed particular emphasis on engaging with ordinary people and individual members of various tribes and communities. Furthermore, this model of communication can offer an appropriate framework for designing and implementing public diplomacy in contemporary Islamic states. This article will first discuss the theoretical underpinnings of public diplomacy and its place within Islam. Second, it will extract and delineate certain elements and pillars of the Prophet's public diplomacy based on his letters. Consequently, by presenting a systematic framework, it will not only substantiate its hypothesis but also take a significant step toward formulating an Islamic paradigm for public diplomacy. Based on the findings of this research, Islamic states can utilize principles derived from the Prophet's sīrah—including peace-seeking, goodwill, respect for the rights of others, emphasis on commonalities, rejection of inequality, and other such principles—to establish a highly effective and dynamic public diplomacy system consistent with Islamic principles. This would enable them to realize the objectives and purposes of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah) while securing and safeguarding their national interests.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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