Tahaaluf Siyasi (Phase 1, Series 2) – Definition

Definition of Tahaaluf Siyasi, in linguistics context.

The word Tahaaluf contains 3 arabic letters, which are ‘Ha’’, ‘Lam’ and ‘Fa’’. A prominent scholar, Ibnu Zakaria is quoted in a book entitled ‘Mu’jam Maqayis al-Lughah’ to have said that the root word of Tahaaluf is Hilfu. The word Hilfu was made of the letters ‘Ha’’, ‘Lam’ and ‘Fa’’, which literally means treaty.

In the book entitled ‘as-Shihah al-Jauhari’ by Ahmad Abd Ghafur, the word Hilf is defined as a treaty made between a few groups of people.

According to al-Latih: When a man makes a promise to another man, it is known as ‘halifuhu’. The agreement made by them is called hilfun. Their actions of reaching an agreement is called tahaalafa.

Ibnu al-Athir mentioned in his book, al-A’wdatu ila Nihayati Fi Gharibil Hadith, that the Prophet (pbuh) had made a treaty (tahaaluf) between the Quraisy and Ansar tribes.

Definition of Tahaaluf Siyasi, in terminological context.

The root word Hilf means oath and promise to work together and help each other.

During the dark ages of the Arab world, also known as the Jahiliyyah period, there were a number of wars, ruthless acts and misery among the society as a result of agreements made by several factions of the society.  The Prophet (pbuh) once mentioned that ‘there is no more agreement in Islam’, referring to the bad occurrences happened prior to the rise of Islam in the Arab community.

However, there were also occurrences in which the Prophet (pbuh) recognised the treaties made by the parties involved, such as a treaty to provide protection to the weak and to strengthen ties between tribes. An example of such agreement was the ‘Treaty of Mutayyibin’.

Conclusion

Scholars of Islamic jurisprudence agreed, that if a treaty could encourage goodship or upholding righteousness, then it is accepted and acknowledge in Islam. However, if a treaty involves acts which is against Islamic principles or putting Islam in a lower hand situations, then it is prohibited in Islam.

Al-Imam an-Nawawi argued that the prohibited treaties in Islam is inheritance and matters that goes against Islamic jurisprudence. However, treaties that are based upon adhering to God, helping the oppressed and strengthening ties and kinship for Allah are matters highly encouraged in Islam.

Al-Fadhil Ustaz Nasrudin Haji Hassan At-Tantawi

The author is the Deputy Chief of PAS Youth Wing. He blogs at http://ustaznasrudin-tantawi.blogspot.com

The translator is a Cardiff University student reading Exploration & Resource Geology.