Siyar
/siːˈjɑːr/noun
In Islamic jurisprudence, the body of principles governing relations between the Muslim community and other peoples or states.
Did you know?Classical Muslim jurists used al-siyar to discuss diplomacy, warfare, treaties, prisoners, and relations with non-Muslim societies—an early systematic tradition of international law.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*s-y-r
“To go, travel, or move along a path”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
sāra
“He traveled, proceeded, or conducted himself”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
sīra
“A way of life, conduct, biography, or customary course of behavior”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
siyar
“Ways of conduct; later, rules concerning relations, warfare, and treaties”
Medieval Islamic scholarship
Arabic
ʿilm al-siyar
“The scholarly discipline concerning the Muslim polity’s relations with other communities”
Modern English
English
siyar
“Islamic jurisprudence concerning international relations and the conduct of war and peace”