islam section 4: peace and conflict

Muslim Teachings About the Nature of Peace

• Peace is more than an absence of war; it means a sense of wellbeing, where everything that disturbs humanity is removed so that people can live in harmony

  • It involves the absence of injustice, oppression, and corruption

• The word Islam means submission to God, but it also means peace The Qur’an teaches that submitting to Allah and remembering him is the best way to achieve peace

‘Those who have faith and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of God - truly it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace.’ (Qur’an 13:28)

‘You who believe! Enter into peace (Islam) wholeheartedly.’ (Qur’an 22:08)

• The Qur’an also teaches that those who treat others in ways that promote peace and react in a peaceful way when provoked are the best believers

‘The most gracious servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who work on the earth in humility and when the ignorant address them, they say “Peace.”’ (Qur’an 25:63)

Islam as a Religion of Peace

• Because one of the meanings of the word Islam is peace, Muslims believe that the very name of the religion Allah chose for them shows that it is a religion of peace

‘Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed my blessing upon you, and chosen as your religion Islam.’ (Qur’an 5:3)

• One of the 99 Names of Allah is as a "Source of Peace" (Qur’an 59:23)

• Muslims greet each other by saying “Salaam alaykum” meaning “May peace be with you”

• Muslims believe that their religion brings them a peaceful life

  • The Qur’an described Islam as “Dar as Salaam” meaning the “house of peace”

  • The Ummah is very important and Muslims should try to live in peace with each other and support each other within it

• Muslims should work for peace, even when they face criticism and hate from others

  • The Qur’an instructs followers to do nothing that threatens peace, such as acting in an arrogant way

‘Do not turn your nose up at people, nor walk around the place arrogantly, for God does not love arrogant or boastful people. Go at a moderate pace and lower your voice.’ (Qur’an 31:18-19)

• They also should not engage with people who only want to mock their beliefs

 ‘When you come across people who speak with scorn about our revelations, turn away from them until they move onto another topic.’ (Qur’an 6:68)

• Muslims call countries where Islam is the national religion the "abode of peace", while countries, where Islam is not the national religion, are known as "the abode of war"

• Heaven, the ultimate reward for faithful Muslims, is described as a place of peace 

‘For them will be a home of peace in the presence of the Lord. (Qur’an 6:127)

How Muslims Understand the Importance of Peace

• Peace is the very reason that Allah revealed Islam to the world

• Muslims believe that Islam aims to provide peace on every level in the world today, from individual peace right up to peace at a global level

  • On an individual level, Muslims believe that they will gain inner peace through submission to the will of Allah and by living according to the moral values set by their faith.

    • This will make them behave with love, compassion, and mercy to others

    • This in turn will help them to have peaceful relationships with others within their family and their communities.

  • Ultimately Muslims believe that Islam can provide global peace in every sphere of life: political, social, and economic

• As a result, seeking peace should be central to a Muslim’s life.

  • They should always look for an amicable solution where there is potential conflict

  • They should follow the example of peace set by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

    • Whenever Muhammad(pbuh) had a choice between two courses of action, he always chose the non-confrontational one, saying ‘an amicable settlement is best.’ (Qur’an 4:128)

Worked Example

Outline three Muslim beliefs about peace

Muslims believe that Allah is a source of peace (1 mark)

Muslims believe that the main aim of Islam is to provide peace in the world today (1 mark)

They also believe that remembering Allah is the best way to attain peace (1 mark)

The Role of Muslims in Peacemaking 

• Muslims believe that all humans are created by Allah and so everyone should be treated with respect

• Allah dislikes anything that interrupts peace, therefore Muslims are taught to be peacemakers and build a better society

• Working for peace in the world is part of their duty as khalifahs

‘Be a community that calls for what is good, urges what is right, and forbids what is wrong: those who do this are the successful ones.’ (Qur’an 3:104)

• Muslims should end disagreements by making peace rather than by beginning further disputes 

‘If two groups of believers fight, you should try to reconcile them.’ (Qur’an 49:9)

‘The most gracious servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who work on the earth in humility and when the ignorant address them, they say “Peace.”’ (Qur’an 25:63)

• Muslims should always remember that Islam is a religion of peace and therefore work for peace in cooperative and peaceful ways

  • In this ,they should follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the teachings of Allah who is called Ar Rahim (all merciful)

The importance of justice

• Justice is important in peacemaking because if the laws do not create a just society, it will lead to unrest and people may begin a civil war

  • For example, the Sunni Muslims in Syria began a civil war because they thought the Alawi Assad regime laws there were treating them unjustly

• Allah is just and expects this from his followers 

‘Allah commands justice’ (Qur’an 16:19) 

• Muslims should ensure that everyone is treated with justice and fairness so that people can live together peacefully

The importance of forgiveness and reconciliation

• Forgiveness and reconciliation are important in peacemaking because they are the path to peace

• Allah is a merciful God, Ar Rahim

  • Muslims repeat this name during prayer

  • They must follow Allah’s example of mercy towards humans in their own lives, showing mercy and forgiveness to others who have wronged them to bring about peace

  • If Muslims are not prepared to forgive others, they cannot ask Allah for mercy on the Day of Judgement, but if they do forgive others they will be rewarded 

‘But if a person forgives and makes recompense his reward is due from Allah.’ (Qur’an 42:40)

• Muslims must try to remove anything that endangers peace 

• Conflicts are inevitable in life, but when they happen, Muslims should try to bring about reconciliation

‘If two groups of believers fight, you should try to reconcile them’ (Qur’an 49:9)

‘Good and evil cannot be equal … repel evil with what is better and your enemy will become as close as an old and valued friend but only those who are … blessed with great righteousness will attain to such goodness.’ (Qur’an 41:34-35) 

• Muslims must follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in practising forgiveness and reconciliation

  • Muhammad (pbuh) himself forgave people and brought reconciliation where there were disputes among others

  • As leader of Madinah, Muhammad (pbuh) settled disputes between Muslims and non-Muslims. He gave many verdicts in favour of non-Muslims. This gave him a reputation for being fair when peacemaking

  • When Muhammad (pbuh) returned to Makkah to liberate the city, he forgave those who had exiled him instead of taking revenge. This has been described as one of the greatest examples of peacemaking

  • There are several Hadith from Muhammad (pbuh)teaching about forgiving people who have wronged you

Work of Muslims for Peace Today

• Muslims are inspired by the teachings of the Qur’an and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to work for peace today

• They support campaigns and organisations that work for peace in the world

The Muslim Peace Fellowship (MPF)

• This organisation is dedicated to non-violence

• It works for peace and opposes injustice globally

• It shows a commitment to peace on behalf of all Muslims

• It reaches out to non-Muslims to increase mutual understanding and respect

Islamic Relief

• Raises awareness of those who live in conflict zones throughout the world

• Provides practical support such as food and medical care to refugees from conflict

Worked Example

Explain two reasons why Muslims are opposed to conflict

(4 marks)

One reason why Muslims are opposed to conflict is that Islam means peace and therefore Muslims are taught to be peacemakers and build a better society (2 marks)

Another reason why Muslims are opposed to conflict is that they have a duty as khalifahs to try to bring about peace in the world (2 marks)

What is the nature of conflict?

• Conflict is a serious disagreement between people regarding a particular issue

• Conflict can happen on any scale: on a small scale between individuals or on a large scale between nations, which can lead to war

The causes of conflict

• Factors that can cause war include:

  • Resources - one country desires the resources another country possesses, such as oil

  • Politics and ideology - different views about what set of policies or ideologies a nation should be governed by

  • Religion - differences in religion can lead to war

  • Nationalism and ethnicity - believing one ethnic group is superior to another, or even thinking that an ethnic group should be removed from a country completely

  • History - unresolved events of the past can cause ongoing conflict today

Problems caused by conflict

• Problems caused by war include

  • Casualties - death and injury is the most obvious problem, with many innocent civilian victims

  • Displacement - the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) reports that at the end of 2023, there were 43.4 million refugees globally

    • This figure has tripled over the last decade

  • Expense - war costs countries vast amounts of money and resources and this causes economic problems for the nations involved and the nations where the refugees end up

Problems caused by conflict in society

• Conflict within society has negative effects on communities and can cause a spiral that reinforces the issues:

  • It can cause disunity and distrust between groups from different backgrounds, especially where there has been discrimination

  • Groups are then unwilling to integrate, and some groups feel isolated and left out, which causes unnecessary divides

  • It can be difficult to get people from different groups to talk together or live in peace

  • This can lead to poor treatment, discrimination and violence, which then leads to further conflict

Muslim Responses to the Problems Caused by Conflict

• Islam is a religion of peace and therefore Muslims ought to seek peace and avoid conflict

• However, most Muslims believe that if all efforts to seek peace have failed and war is just, then a Muslim must fight

• The Qur’an teaches 

‘Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not overstep the limits; for Allah does not love those who overstep the limits.’ (Qur’an 2:190)

• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) set the example for Muslims in this by fighting in wars of self-defence himself

• The conditions for war are strict

  • Muslims should not be the first to attack

  • Any conflict in which they could be classed as the aggressor could not be fought by a faithful Muslim.

  • So Muslims could never be involved in a conflict which:

    • Takes resources from someone else

    • Forces another country or people to become Muslim

    • Changes the political leadership or ideology of another country

    • Changes the culture of a country

  • Any response must be proportionate and must not go beyond the action required to stop the conflict

‘If you [believers] have to respond to an attack, make your response proportionate.’ (Qur’an 16:126)

Islam and Non-religious Attitudes About the Role of Religion in Conflict

• Humanists are often pacifists because:

  • they believe human life is special and should be protected and seek to lead good lives without harming others

  • they believe that all humans should live together in harmony

  • they think people should use reason and experience to make wise decisions and find peaceful solutions to reduce conflict and remove its causes

• Most Humanists believe that religion is at the root of many conflicts and would argue that if there were no longer any religions, there would be fewer wars

  • Therefore a good solution to reduce conflict would be to get rid of religion

• The British Humanist Association says that no war should ever be fought based on belief in a supernatural being who instructs believers to kill others

• It also points out the incompatibility of an all-powerful and loving God with the huge destruction caused by conflict

‘The horrors of war … have made many people question the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent deity.’ (British Humanist Association)

• Many non-religious people, including atheists, would agree that while some political conflict is unavoidable, wars based on religion can never be justified

Muslim Responses to Non-religious Attitudes About Conflict

• Muslims

• Muslims would respond to the non-religious views by saying that many wars, even those fought by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are fought in self-defence and to establish peace

• They would say that it is unfair to blame God for the bloodshed caused by war because it is a consequence of humans using their free will to make bad choices

• They would say that many of the wars fought throughout history have had nothing to do with religious beliefs

The use of situation ethic

• Many Muslims and Humanists apply situation ethics to issues of conflict

• This means that they do not believe that all conflict is morally unacceptable

• Instead, they will consider the causes and effects of each situation and make a decision based on what will produce the most loving outcome:

  • If a country has been invaded and its people are being ethnically cleansed, the most loving and useful action might be to fight against the invaders

  • However, if the war will result in the use of excessive force, such as chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, it would never be acceptable

Outline three Muslim beliefs about conflict

Muslims believe that conflict should be avoided as Islam is a religion of peace (1 mark)

They think that if a war is just then a Muslim must fight in it (1 mark)

They think that any response must be proportionate and a Muslim should not go beyond the action needed to resolve the conflict (1 mark)

religion is main cause of war

If asked to evaluate a statement such as ‘Religion is the main cause of wars’, you will need to think of statements in support and arguments against the statement. It will help your answer to give examples of conflicts and their causes.

In support of the statement, several conflicts in the last century have been based on religious differences. Examples include the dispute between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims in Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East. 

However, the biggest conflicts, the two World Wars, were not caused by religion.

The Nature of Pacifism

• Pacifism is the belief that all instances of violence and war are wrong and should be avoided

• A person who believes in this is called a pacifist

  • Pacifists believe that disagreements and conflicts should be resolved without the use of force

• Pacifism promotes the principle of the sanctity of life, but not all pacifists are religious

• There are different types of pacifists

  • Absolute pacifists believe that it is wrong to participate in war in all circumstances, even in self-defence

  • Conditional pacifists think that although war is wrong, it is sometimes necessary as a last resort

  • Selective pacifists believe that any war involving the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons is always wrong because of the devastating impact they bring to innocent lives and to the environment

  • Active pacifists are those involved in non-violent political action to condemn war and promote peace, for example demonstrators. Groups such as CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) organise these pacifists to try to bring about social change

Muslim Attitudes Towards Pacifism and Passive Resistance

• Some scholars have interpreted the story of Qabil (Cain) and Habil (Abel) in the Qur’an as an argument in favour of pacifism

  • Adam’s two sons believed to be Qabil (Cain) and Habil (Abel) had a disagreement

  • Both offered a sacrifice to God, but only Habil’s was accepted because of his righteousness

  • Qabil killed Habil out of jealousy

• After relating this incident the Qur’an teaches 

‘If anyone kills a person - unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land – it is as if he kills all mankind.’ (Qur’an 5:32)

• This teaching has been interpreted as being in favour of pacifism because it states that killing is only acceptable due to murder and treason

• Because the Qur’an encourages Muslims to “struggle in the way of Islam”, there is no tradition of pacifism or “turning the other cheek” in Islam

• If Muslims are attacked, they should fight back

• However, some Muslims adopt a stance of passive resistance which means they will take a non-violent opposition to authority which may include acts of civil disobedience

  • The Qur’an teaches

‘You who believe, obey God and the Messenger, and those in authority among you.’

• This means that although Muslims should always obey authority, they should do so in the following order:

  • God

  • The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

  • Others in authority

• In practice, although Muslims should obey those in authority in the government, they are prepared to disobey that authority if it forces them to act against their beliefs, for example, by removing their freedom to worship

  • In these situations, passive resistance can be adopted, as the authority of Allah and the Prophet come first

‘It is obligatory for one to listen to and obey (the ruler’s orders) unless these orders involve disobedience (to Allah); […] if an act of disobedience (to Allah) is imposed, he should not listen to or obey it.’ (Hadith – Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Examples of Passive Resistance Within Islam

The Arab Spring

• The Arab Spring protests in North African and Middle Eastern countries that began at the end of 2010 were based on pacifism and passive resistance

• The aim was to protest against the lack of democracy

  • For example, the demonstrations in Tahir Square, Cairo, led to the overthrow of President Mubarak in Egypt

  • Although both sides did use violence, in the main they succeeded by passive resistance

  • Some involved in this process were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize

Other examples of passive resistance

• Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1890-1988), a famous pacifist who was a friend of Gandhi, campaigned non-violently against British rule in India

  • He also wanted a united independent India rather than Pakistan and Bangladesh being separate states.

• The famous American boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused to fight in the Vietnam War

• The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, founded in 1889, is an example of a Muslim pacifist group

  • They organise rallies and non-violent protests to highlight issues

  • One of their slogans is “love for all, hatred for none” to show how jihad is misunderstood by non-Muslims as well as Muslims

• Moses and Aaron provide a historical tradition of passive resistance in Islam, as the Qur'an describes how they refused to fight the Israelites who rebelled against God (Qur'an 5:28)

Non-religious Attitudes to Pacifism

• Humanists are opposed to war because they believe that this life is the only life and there is no afterlife. Therefore this life is even more precious and worthy of protection

• Most Humanists are pacifists and many were conscientious objectors during the two World Wars

  • After the Second World War, humanists helped to set up the United Nations 

  • After the development of nuclear weapons, they formed groups like CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament)

• Humanists who are not pacifists would still think very carefully before supporting a war, because of the loss of life involved and the destruction caused

• Humanists think wars fought over religion do not make sense. They criticise any role that any organised religion might play in encouraging or supporting wars

Explain two reasons why Muslims may accept the ideas of passive resistance

(4 marks)

One reason why Muslims may accept the ideas of passive resistance is that although they are obedient towards those in authority in government, the authority of Allah and the Prophet comes first. Therefore, they would use passive resistance against any authority who tried to prevent them from practising their religion (2 marks)

Another reason is that there are examples of passive resistance within the Qur’an, such as the refusal of Moses and Aaron to fight the Israelites who rebelled against God (2 marks)

Islam and the Conditions of a Just War

• A just war is a war which can be considered justified because its aim and the methods used to fight are just

• Just War theory is a set of conditions to help judge what should be considered ‘just’ or fair in the methods and outcomes of war 

• These criteria have been in existence since the thirteenth century, and were adopted by the United Nations (UN) to become part of international law

Conditions for a Just War in Islam

• ere are strict rules about only fighting a war that is just in Islam, because the Qur’an teaches

‘Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress limits.’ (Qur’an 2:190)

• A war must be fought for a just cause:

  • To defend Islam if it is under attack

  • To stop injustice or protect the oppressed

  • In self-defence, not for aggression

 ‘To those against who war is made, permission is given to fight because they are wronged. (Qur’an 22:39)

• It must be a last resort

  • All other peaceful solutions must have been tried

• It must have authorised leadership

  • It must be declared by a Muslim religious leader, not a political one

  • It must have the support of the Muslim community, not just one person

• It must have right intentions

  • It is not for gaining land or power

  • It is not to force people to convert to Islam

• It must protect the innocent

  • Civilians, especially children, women, the elderly, and the sick, must not be harmed

‘Do not kill any child, any woman, or any elderly or sick person.’ (Hadith)

• It must avoid environmental damage

  • It must not harm trees, crops, or animals

‘Do not spoil the cultivated fields and gardens.’ (Hadith)

• It must end when peace is offered

  • Muslims must stop fighting as soon as the enemy seeks peace

‘But if the enemy inclines towards peace, do you also incline towards peace.’ (Qur’an 8:61)

• A war must meet all of these conditions to be considered a just war

• If a war does fulfil these conditions, then a Muslim must fight in it because:

  • The Qur’an says that Muslims must fight if they are attacked and this has ultimate authority as the revealed word of God

  • Muhammad (pbuh) fought in wars and Muslims should follow his example

  • There are many Hadith that say Muslims should fight in just wars

  • The Qur’an says that anyone who fights in a Just War will go straight to heaven 

‘to him who fights in the cause of Allah – whether he is slain or gets victory – soon shall We give him a reward of great value.’ (Qur’an 4:74)

Divergent Muslim Approaches to Just War

• In practice, individual Muslims interpret the guidelines for a just war differently, which can make Just War Theory difficult to apply

• Some Muslims believe that a just war is the ‘lesser jihad’ and so it is acceptable to protect the freedom of the Islamic faith against a threat

  • It is all part of a Muslim’s struggle in the cause of God

• There are disagreements about the ‘legitimate authority’ that could sanction a just war

  • For Sunni Muslims, this would be a prophet or Khalifah

  • For Shi’a Muslims, it would be a prophet or one of the imams

• Many Muslims would reject the conditions for lesser jihad as out-of-date

  • They were relevant at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

  • However, international laws and organisations such as the United Nations exist to protect their rights today

• Many Muslims would say that a just war is never possible in the modern age

  • The criteria are too strict - you can never protect the innocent or avoid damage to the environment

  • Modern weapons are so powerful that it is simply impossible to adhere to these conditions

  • Others would point out that Islam is a religion of peace, therefore setting out conditions for a just war is a contradiction in terms

    • Violence breeds more violence and other methods should be used to achieve peace

Situation ethics and just war

• Some Muslims may use ethical theories such as situation ethics to help them determine whether a war is just

• They would look at the individual situation and ask what the most loving action would be

  • Would it be more unjust to fight the war than to allow the injustice to continue?

  • They would then act in a way that would be in most people’s best interests, even if that meant fighting the war

• Many situation ethicists would point out that it would never be justifiable to use excessive force or weapons of mass destruction in any situation

Humanist attitude towards just war

• Some humanists accept the Just War Theory as it is based on reason and moral values

• Other humanists believe that it is impossible to have a just war because all human life is special

  • Even though they do not believe life came from God they still value it and would not support its destruction

  • Instead, they believe non-violent means should be used to try to achieve peace before war is considered

Outline three Muslim conditions of a Just War

One condition Muslims have for a Just War is that it must be fought for a just cause (1 mark)

Another condition is that it must be a last resort (1 mark)

A third condition is that it must be authorised by a Muslim authority (1 mark)

The Nature of Holy War in Islam

• A Holy War or Harb al-Maqadis is a war that:

  • is fought to achieve a religious goal

  • is authorised by a religious leader

  • promises a spiritual reward for those who participate

• Holy Wars are considered to fulfil the criteria for a lesser jihad, because they are fought as part of the struggle to defend Islam

• Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers took part in several Holy Wars, including the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud and the Conquest of Makkah

conditions for a holy war

• Holy War is only justifiable for these purposes:

  • To protect Muslims from intense persecution

  • To guard Muslims against an attack started by aggressors (self-defence)

  • To protect the freedom of Muslims to practise their faith if it is taken away

‘Fight them until there is no more persecution, and worship is devoted to God.’ (Qur’an 2:190-193)

“Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress limits” Qur’an 2:190)

• A Holy War must be authorised by a Muslim leader

• It must be fought to bring about the end goal of good

• It must be a last resort

• Innocent people should not be targeted or killed 

“Do not kill any child, any woman, or any elderly or sick person” Hadith

• Fellow Muslims must not be killed

‘If anyone kills a believer deliberately, the punishment for him is Hell, and there he will remain.’ (Qur’an 4:93)

• The leaders of other faiths should not be attacked

• Enemies should still be treated with justice

• Wounded enemy soldiers should be cared for in the same way as one’s own soldiers

• No innocent civilians should be targeted

• There should be no destruction of holy buildings, crops, or killing of animals

• War should stop as soon as the enemy asks for peace

‘But if the enemy inclines towards peace, do you also incline towards peace’ (Qur’an 8:61)

• These strict conditions for fighting a Holy War are set out in the Qur’an

• If a Holy War fulfils these conditions, then a Muslim must fight in it

• In fighting lesser jihad or Holy War, Muslims should not: 

  • start the war (be an aggressor)

  • use fighting to try to convert people to Islam

  • call on the help of non-Muslims in fighting

Muslim Teachings About War and Peace

• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was commanded by Allah to seek peace 

'You who believe, be careful when you go out to fight in God’s way, and do not say to someone who offers you a greeting of peace, “You are not a believer”' (Qur’an 4:94)

• Muslims believe that any ‘greeting of peace’ offered by others in an attempt to stop violence should be respected and that it should result in the end of fighting

• After a battle, the Muslim and non-believer should make a pact (formal agreement) to prevent further confrontations

• The Qur’an teaches that these pacts ought to be respected

‘As for the idolaters who have honoured the treaty you [believers] made with them and who have not supported anyone against you: fulfil your agreement with them … God loves those who are mindful of Him.’ (Qur’an 9:4)

• However, if the opponent breaks the pact, Muslims can retaliate

‘If they break their oath after having made an agreement with you and revile your religion, then fight these leaders of disbelief’ (Qur’an 9:12)

Divergent Muslim Teachings About Holy War

• Most Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) fought Holy Wars to ensure peace between Muslims and non-believers

• However, some have interpreted the verse below and also Surah 9:1-14 as granting permission to wage holy wars to spread Islam and convert others, because it could imply that the desire for peace has to come from the "enemy"

‘But if the enemy inclines towards peace, do you also incline towards peace’ (Qur’an 8:61)

• Most Muslims believe that the only conditions for Holy War are to stop persecution and protect their freedomto practise their faith

• They would defend their position by saying that the Prophet Muhammad showed mercy and forgiveness and that no one should force anyone else to become a Muslim

‘Your only task is to remind, you are not there to control them.’ (Qur’an 88:21-22)

‘We have not sent you to be their guardian: your only duty is to deliver the message.’ (Qur’an 42:48)

Outline three features of a Holy War

One feature of a Holy War is that it should be authorised and led by a Muslim leader (1 mark)

Another feature is that it must be fought to bring about the end goal of good (1 mark)

A third feature is that it must be a last resort (1 mark)

Weapons of mass destruction (WMDS) 

• Weapons of mass destruction (WMDS) are weapons that can inflict death and destruction on a massive scale

• The most powerful WMDs are nuclear weapons

  • The first nuclear weapon was used in 1945 towards the end of the Second World War, when the USA dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the Japanese had ignored an ultimatum from the American President, Harry S. Truman

  • The consequences were devastating, with some 200,000 civilians killed

• Since then, peace has been kept between countries in possession of nuclear weapons by a policy known as mutually agreed destruction, or MAD. These nations will not attack one another because they know the other country could destroy them

Other WMDs include:

• chemical weapons

  • Any toxic chemical that can cause death, injury or sensory irritation is considered a chemical weapon

  • Examples include nerve agents such as sarin, blood agents such as hydrogen cyanide and blister agents such as mustard gas

• biological weapons

  • These are bacteria, viruses and fungi used as weapons of war, for example the bacteria which causes anthrax

  • Biological weapons can be used to target an individual, a group, or an entire population. 

The problems and benefits of WMDs

• e benefits of WMDs are:

  • They are an effective deterrent because of the MAD policy

  • They can bring a swift end to conflict

  • They cause less suffering for the party using them

  • They do not require a country to invade another to attack

• The problems of WMDs are:

  • They deliberately target innocent civilians and mass casualties are inevitable

  • The scale of destruction is immense

  • They cause damage that can never be repaired and will affect future generations

  • They threaten the extinction of the planet as we know it

  • Their use could be considered a war crime

• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) has said that WMDs "could have incalculable consequences for global stability and prosperity"

• Many people have campaigned against the use of WMDs, supporting organisations such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)

Muslim Teachings Around Weapons of Mass Destruction

• Most Muslims oppose the use of WMDs

• A Muslim just war must avoid killing innocent civilians and cause the minimum amount of suffering

  • WMDs target the innocent and are indiscriminate in what they attack

“Do not kill any child, any woman, or any elderly or sick person” Hadith

• Just war must use proportionate force

  • WMDs are never proportionate force, because they could destroy the world as we know it

  • They can never be justified because of the immense damage they can cause

• Just war must end as soon as the enemy lays down their arms

  • WMDs would mean that the enemy would be destroyed

• The influential Muslim leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, warned that 

‘In addition to nuclear weapons, other WMDs such as chemical and biological arms also pose a serious threat to humanity. We declare the use of such weapons as impermissible (haram) and believe that protecting mankind from this great disaster is a public duty.’

(Grand Ayatollah Khamenei)

• Some Muslim scholars think that Islamic countries should have WMDs as a deterrent, but not use them 

  • They would support this because of the teaching in the Qur’an that believers should prepare themselves to be able to frighten off enemies of God

‘Prepare against them [disbelievers] whatever forces you [believers] can muster … to frighten off these enemies of God and of yours.’ (Qur’an 8:60)

• Others reject the use of WMDs even in self-defence

Islam and Non-religious Attitudes Towards the Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction

• Most humanists and many atheists would oppose the use of WMD given the extensive damage they can cause

• Humanists believe human life is special and should not be destroyed, even though they don’t believe that life was given by God 

‘We should be against the possession of weapons which provide the potential for the murder of millions, if not billions of people, and the destruction of the one planet we’re able to call home.’ 

(Paul Simms, British Humanist, 2014)

• Some would say it is acceptable to have them as a deterrent as long as other countries have them. They accept the concept of MAD has kept the peace

• Some people might use utilitarian principles to justify the possession of nuclear weapons

  • Following MAD policy, those who possess them benefit from knowing they won’t be attacked and have to suffer the terrible consequences of war

  • Therefore possessing WMDs secures the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, as everyone is happier living in a state of peace than a state of war

• Muslims would agree with the views of humanists and atheists because of the grave effects of using WMDs 

  • However, they would apply the teachings of the Qur’an to support their views on these weapons

Worked Example

Explain two reasons why many Muslims would not support the use of weapons of mass destruction

(4 marks)

One reason why many Muslims would not support the use of weapons of mass destruction is that a Muslim Just War should avoid killing innocent civilians and cause the minimum amount of suffering, and weapons of mass destruction cannot avoid killing innocent civilians (2 marks)

Another reason is that any Just War should only use proportionate force. WMDs are never proportionate force, because of the immense damage they can cause. They could destroy the world as we know it and this can never be justified (2 marks)

Terrorism

• Terrorism is condemned by the United Nations, which has stated

‘Criminal acts intended to provoke a state of terror are in any circumstances unjustifiable, whatever the considerations.’ (UN International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism)

• There have been several terrorist attacks during this century that have been reported in the media as acts for which Muslims were responsible

• These include the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York, USA on 11 September 2001, the attacks on London on 7 July 2005, and on a concert by singer Ariana Grande in Manchester on 2 May 2017

• While militant groups such as IS may use verses from the Qur’an to justify the use of violence and even acts of terrorism, Islam is a religion of peace

  • The vast majority of Muslims would condemn any acts of terror undertaken by anyone who tries to justify their actions using the teachings in the Qur’an

‘Struggle in God’s way with your possessions and your persons: this is better for you’ (Qur’an 9:41)

‘God is sure to help those who help his cause - God is strong and mighty’ (Qur’an 22:40) 

• The above quotations are among those which have been used by a minority to justify such acts

  • Scholars would say that these verses were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) at the start of the Islamic faith when the Prophet and his followers were battling for the very existence of the religion 

  • They do not apply in the same way today and are certainly not justification for acts of terror

Muslim attitudes to violence and terrorism

• Islam teaches that its followers should seek peace and that using violence without just cause is a sin 

• Islam has clear teachings on just war, which would make it very difficult to justify terrorism

• Acts of terror target innocent people, which is completely forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

“Do not kill any child, any woman, or any elderly or sick person” Hadith

• Murder is haram and killing civilians is seen as murder

• Suicide is haram

  • Therefore a suicide bomber is going against both of these teachings and acting against Islam by killing himself as well as bringing harm to innocent people

• The rules for taking up arms are very clear and should be carried out only under certain carefully defined circumstances

Malik’s Muwatta

• Malik’s Muwatta sets out the ten rules of war set out by Abu Bakr, who was the first of the Khalifahs of Sunni Islam

• These rules include:

  • Do not kill women or children or an aged person

  • Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees

  • Do not destroy an inhabited place

  • Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food

(From Muwatta of Imam Malik, Book 21, Number 21.3.10)

• These rules are broken by anyone who commits a terrorist atrocity

• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) predicted that terrible acts of evil would be committed by people after him who called themselves Muslims and said that they would be the "worst of creatures"

• Many of the attacks and conflicts in the modern world that are ascribed to Islam are carried out for political or economic reasons and have nothing to do with religion

How Muslims Have Worked to Overcome Issues of Conflict

• The vast majority of Muslims are opposed to terrorism and work hard to prevent it happening

• Muslim leaders and organisations have spoken out against acts of terror and condemned violent acts done in the name of Islam

• The Muslim Council of Britain

  • Works to educate non-Muslims about the true nature of Islam

  • Works closely with the police to help develop counter-terrorism policies 

  • Has funded adverts to condemn terrorist acts

  • Speaks out to condemn terrorism and urges Muslim communities to join them in doing this

‘We condemn unreservedly their (IS) psychopathic violence … IS does not speak for Islam, and has been repudiated by all Muslims.’ (The Muslim Council of Britain, Not in Our Name: British Muslims Condemn the Barbarity of IS, 2014)

• In North America, Muslims have formed a group called Muslims Against Terrorism

• In India, over 70 thousand imams signed a document condemning global terrorist activity

slam and Non-religious Views About the Issues Surrounding Conflict

• Humanists and most atheists strongly condemn terrorism

• It is completely without justification to target innocent civilians and inflict violence in this way, even if the terrorists are trying to achieve what they consider a valid goal. The ends can never justify the means

• Some non-religious people have blamed religions such as Islam for acts of violence and terrorism

  • The atheist novelist Jane Caro pointed out that while religious people have murdered others in the name of their god throughout history, no atheist has ever killed anyone in the name of atheism

Muslim responses to the non-religious views about conflict

• Muslims would point out that the teachings of their religion do not cause people to commit terrorist acts. It is ignorance or misinterpretation that causes such actions

• They would say that The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advised his followers to take action against people who are oppressing others in extremist ways

‘People asked … “how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.”’ (Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari)

• They would also say that the majority of terrorist acts in the world in recent history have nothing to do with Islam

  • ThinkProgress Organisation reports that between 2009 and 2013, less than two percent of terrorist attacks were religiously motivated

Worked Example

Explain two ways Muslims have worked against terrorism

(4 marks)

One way Muslims have worked against terrorism is by Muslim leaders and organisations speaking out to condemn acts of terror and violent acts done in the name of Islam (2 marks)

Another way is through organisations like The Muslim Council of Britain working to counter misinformation, for example educating non-Muslims about the true nature of Islam (2 marks)

sources of wisdom and authority

“war is deception”-hadith

-”if two parties among the belivers fall into a quarrel make peace between them”

“allah commands jsutice the doing of good”

“and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people”