Trade relations
In the world, no country produces all that its population need. That is why trade relationship between the two or more countries is imperative. For this, trade delegations exchange visits, hold talks and sign deals. However, while signing deals, the signatories try to protect own interests as far as
possible.
It does not finish here. There are few countries with whom trade relationship cannot be established. Besides, when a delegation visits another country, it implies upon the hosts to ensure their fullest security.
To both the questions, we have answers in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Allah says in Surah Mumtahanah, Verse No. 8 and 9.
According to the Verse No. 8, fair deals can be signed with those of the nations who did not dislodge the Muslims nor declare war on account of their religion; and according to Verse No. 9, agreements cannot be concluded with those of the nations who displaced the Muslims or declared war on account of their religion.
So far we know from history that neither Japan nor Italy dislodged the Muslims, nor declared war on them. Therefore, the Gulshan restaurant carnage is against the Quran.
Secondly, the Prophet Muhammad (SM) has decreed to ensure full security to the foreigners living in a Muslim country. If some of them commit crime or create anarchy, they shall be tried according to the law of the land where they live, but no individual has any right to punish them. The Gulshan restaurant attackers are also guilty of violating the Sunnah of the Prophet. It is sad that we claim ourselves to be the vanguard of the truth, but we ourselves violate law and ethics.
Ameer Hamzah
Dhaka
