By: Hassan Mujahid
The agreement signed between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and Russia is expected to further strengthen Afghanistan in the near future and enable it to benefit from extensive military and technical advantages. The IEA has repeatedly assured the international community that Afghanistan’s territory will not be used against any country.
Therefore, if the Pakistani regime expresses concern over the agreement concluded between Russia and Afghanistan and perceives it as a threat to itself, such concern may stem from the fact that it has encroached upon Afghanistan’s territory and does not intend to pursue good and peaceful intentions in the future either. Moreover, it appears unable to tolerate the IEA maintaining relations with a major and powerful country such as Russia, as such relations are regarded as a strong blow to its position.
The Afghan government has the legitimate right to strengthen its capacities in order to safeguard the security, stability, and defense of the country and to remain prepared against any potential threats.
The IEA seeks appropriate and mutually beneficial relations with all countries in light of Islamic principles, national interests, and a balanced foreign policy, whether with Russia, China, or any other state.
One of the key reasons for the strengthening of relations with Russia is that Russia has gained confidence in Afghanistan’s current government. In the past, Russia had concerns regarding drug trafficking, insecurity, and the activities of the ISIS. However, the IEA has taken practical measures, within its available means, to prevent and eliminate these challenges. As a result, mutual trust between the two sides has increased, and their relations have become stronger than before.
Some opposing circles criticize the IEA by arguing that, in the past, the Taliban condemned the former governments’ relations with Russia and considered them unacceptable from an Islamic perspective, yet now they themselves maintain relations with Russia.
In response to this objection, it should be stated that the former governments’ relations were viewed as serving to strengthen foreign interference and were, in their view, directed against their own Muslim nation. The IEA, however, maintains that its current relations are pursued for the sake of national interests, economic development, security and stability, and the defense of Afghanistan’s territory.
Maintaining Relations with a Non Islamic Country from the Perspective of Sharia
The IEA now considers it a serious necessity to further strengthen and consolidate its system and to remain prepared against potential wars and conflicts.
On the one hand, there exists a need and expediency; on the other hand, there is, to a considerable extent, trust and mutual understanding between Russia and the IEA. These are the two conditions that many Islamic jurists have cited when discussing the permissibility of seeking cooperation from non Muslims.
The respected jurists present as evidence that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sought assistance from Safwan ibn Umayyah on the day of Hunayn, even though he was still a polytheist at that time. Likewise, in the year of the Conquest of Makkah, the tribe of Khuza’ah joined the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) against Quraysh, despite the fact that they too were polytheists.
Among the evidences cited for permissibility is also the case of Quzman, who went out alongside the Companions on the day of Uhud while still being a polytheist. During the battle, he killed three standard-bearers from the ranks of the polytheists. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“Indeed, Allah may at times support this religion through a sinful person.”
As the scholars of Seerah (Prophetic biography) have affirmed.