The Quran on war, peace and justice

The Quran on war, peace and justice

Current events in Afghanistan are related to US foreign policy
and international politics. But for some reason, a number of people
are looking into religion for answers, specifically Islam. Many
people are turning to the Quran. Unfortunately, this has led many
to misunderstand a number of verses about the Islamic conduct of
war. Below is a clear explanation that can help clarify misconceptions.

When it comes to the Islamic conduct of war, some
of the verses of the Quran that have often been quoted by non-Muslims
to "prove" Islam promotes violence and bloodshed are found
in Surah 2 verses 190-194:



2.190. Fight against those
who fight against you in the way of Allah, but do not transgress,
for Allah does not love transgressors.

2.191. Kill
them whenever you confront them and drive them out from where they
drove you out. (For though killing is sinful) wrongful persecution
is even worse than killing. Do not fight against them near the Holy
Mosque unless they fight against you; but if they fight against
you kill them, for that is the reward of such unbelievers.

2.192. Then
if they desist, know well that Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Compassionate.

2.193. Keep
on fighting against them until mischief ends and the way prescribed
by Allah prevails. But if they desist, then know that hostility
is only against the wrong-doers.

2.194. The
sacred month for the sacred month; sanctities should be respected
alike ( by all concerned). Thus, if someone has attacked you, attack
him just as he attacked you, and fear Allah and remain conscious
that Allah is with those who guard against violating the bounds
set by Him.

(translation taken from, Towards Understanding
the Quran)

The Historic Context and the Nature of the Holy
Quran

The Holy Quran comprises of revelations from God
to Prophet Muhammad over a period of twenty three years (610 C.E.
– 632 C.E.). The first 13 years of the prophethood of Muhammad
were at his hometown of Makkah (Mecca), where he and his fellow
Muslims were severely persecuted by the pagans of Makkah. During
that time, Muslims were not ordered to fight back, but bear the
persecutions. Finally, God ordered the Prophet and his fellow Muslims
(known as Sahabah) to emigrate to the city of Madinah, about 400
kilometers away.

This emigration, known as the Hijrah, marked the
beginning of an Islamic society in Madinah, in which the Prophet
became the head of the state. It was not long before the polytheists
of Makkah marched towards Madinah to wage war against Muslims and
destroy the Islamic state of Madinah. This battle is known as the
Battle of Badr. The verses 2.190-2.194, above were perhaps the first
injunctions from God to Muslims to prepare themselves for fighting.
It was obviously a war in the defense of their homeland and their
Faith.

In verse 2.190,
God instructs Muslims to fight back, but not to transgress,
and remain just even during the battle. "They are told that
material interests should not be the motivation for their fighting,
that they should not take up arms against those were not in opposition
to the true faith, that they should not resort to unscrupulous methods
or to the indiscriminate killing and pillage which characterized
the other wars. The excesses alluded to in this verse are acts such
as taking up arms against women and children, the old and the injured,
mutilation of the dead bodies of the enemy, uncalled for devastation
through the destruction of fields and livestock, and other similar
acts of injustice and brutality.

The Prophet prohibited all these acts. The real
intent of the verse is to stress that force should be used only
when its use is unavoidable, and only to the extent that is absolutely
necessary." (see note 201, page 151, Towards Understanding
the Quran, Volume 1)

Commentary on verse 2.192:

God, in whom the believers have faith, is forgiving and ready to
pardon even the worst criminals and sinners after they have renounced
their arrogant defiance towards Him. It is suggested that this attribute
of God should be reflected in the behavior of the believers as well.
Hence, whenever the believers have to resort to armed conflict,
they should do so not for the sake of quenching their thirst for
vengeance but in the just cause of their defense. Their conflict
with any group should last only as long as that group is fighting
them. As soon as it gives up this fight the hostility should cease.
(see (note 203, page 152, as above.)

It should be emphasized that so many revelations
in the Holy Quran came down to provide guidance to Prophet Muhammad
and the Muslims based on what they were confronting at that time.
Therefore, it is important to understand and know the historic context
of the revelations for a proper understanding of these verses.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon
him, was the peace maker of his time. He endured torture, hunger
and the killing of his loved ones by his enemies, but he remained
a merciful person. In his most startling conquest of Makkah only
four people died. In his 23 years of struggle for Islam, the total
number of people who lost their lives from all sides was less than
2,000 in wars that were imposed on him and the Muslim community.