A crucial distinction made in Islamic theology is that between Dar al-Harb and Dar al-Islam. What do these terms mean and how does it influence and affect Muslim nations and extremists? These are important questions to ask and understand given the turbulent world we live in today.

What Do Dar al-Harb and Dar al-Islam Mean?

To put it simply, Dar al-Harb is understood as “territory of war or chaos.” This is the name for the regions where Islam does not dominate and where divine will is not observed. It is, therefore, where continuing strife is the norm.

By contrast, Dar al-Islam is a “territory of peace.” This is the name for those territories where Islam does dominate and where submission to God is observed. It is where peace and tranquility reign.

The Political and Religious Complications

The distinction is not quite as simple as it may appear at first. For one thing, the division is regarded as legal rather than theological. Dar al-Harb is not separated from Dar al-Islam by things like the popularity of Islam or divine grace. Rather, it is separated by the nature of the governments which have control over a territory.

A Muslim-majority nation not ruled by Islamic law is still Dar al-Harb. A Muslim-minority nation ruled by Islamic law could qualify as being part of Dar al-Islam.

Wherever Muslims are in charge and enforce Islamic law, there is also Dar al-Islam. It doesn’t matter so much what people believe or have faith in, what matters is how people behave. Islam is a religion focused more upon proper conduct (orthopraxy) than on proper beliefs and faith (orthodoxy).

Islam is also a religion that has never had an ideological or theoretical place for a separation between the political and the religious spheres. In orthodox Islam, the two are fundamentally and necessarily linked. That’s why this division between Dar al-Harb and Dar al-Islam is defined by political control rather than religious popularity.