Many scholars of Islam traditionally divide the world into three "houses":
- Dar al-Islam (or "house of peace") where sharia law (Islamic law) is in effect.
- Dar al-Sulh (or "house of treaty") where Islam is not in control, but Islam has working relations with non-Islamic territories.
- Dar al-Harb (or "house of war") where Islam is not in control and Muslim law is not in effect yet.
The second house, listed "Dar al-sulh", can be several names depending on the immediate Muslim intention for the area; some say that Dar al-Sulh exists while Islam is attempting to gain sufficient power before fully launching into Dar al-Harb. [1][2]