Moral Principles as the Basis of Islamic Culture — Page 13
of these affairs. It would be for the Constitution to detem1ine the relationsh~p between the ruler who, by virtue of his election, is the chief representative of the people, and their other representatives. In the matter of his personal allowances the ruler is, in all cases, bound by the determination made by the representatives of the people. He is not subject to the ordinary jurisdiction of the courts in respect of his public 'acts, but with regard to his personal affairs, he is as much subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of law as any private citizen. There are instances where even a K. haJifa was cited as a defendent in a civil suit in his personal capacity and appeared in court in that ca- pacity. One of the outstanding functions of a State is to establish and maintain friendly relations with other States. The cardinal principle emphasized by Islam in this connection is that all treaties, engagements and agreements entered into by an Jslimic State must be fully and scrupulously observed, kept and carried out, even if they should operate to the prejudice of the Islamic State. In case it is established that the other party to a treaty is determined upon its repudiation or breach, the Islm. ic State is not permitted to repudiate it save after due notice which should ensure that no prejudice or disadvantage would be oc- casioned to the other side through such repudiation. In other words, an Islamic State is not permitted to make aggressive or offensive prep- arations against another State with which it is in treaty relationship even if it is convinced of the treacherous designs of that State save after due notice that from a date specified the Islamic State will no longer be bound by the treaty on account of its actual or clearly intended con- travention or breach by the other side. This is designed to enswe tha. 1 time should be available for the removal of any misunderstanding that might have arisen or for a renewal of the treaty, if thi~ should be feasible, and that, in the last resort. the other party should not be taken by surprise and shonld have as much tim6 available to ~ for niaking security arrangements as would be available to the H 1. tsHm State after it has become clear that the other party no longer intends to adhere to the obHgations undertaken by it. Thr- Quran says: "Should you be con11inced of the treacherous designs of a peoplt with