Question: I have long been acquainted with a Hindu neighbor of mine. I introduced him to Islam and gave him the Quran to read. He raised some doubts regarding it. He asks: Why does Islam mandate war? Is the mass killing of humans and the destruction of the economy glorified as "fighting in the path of God"? Does this not tarnish the image of God's infinite mercy? Please provide an explanation.
– M. Muhammad Musa, Madurai.
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| Islamic war |
Some people misunderstand the verses that command warfare. While many commandments in the Holy Quran apply to all Muslims, there are others that are incumbent only upon rulers and governments.
Individuals should not attempt to carry out duties that are assigned to the government.
The Quran prescribes laws such as amputating the hand for theft, the death penalty or one hundred lashes for adultery, and the principle of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." No individual Muslim or group of Muslims can take these laws into their own hands; rather, it is the Islamic state that must implement them.
Similarly, the verses regarding warfare impose a duty upon the state, not upon individuals or groups. There is evidence within the Quran itself to support this view.
Verse 4:75 asks, "Why do you not fight for the sake of the weak?" The term "the weak" refers to the Muslims who were a minority in Mecca. They were subjected to unspeakable suffering in Mecca; the atrocities committed against them were so severe that their only desire was to escape the city.
Yet, the Quran did not command *them* to wage war; instead, it commanded the Muslim state—led by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)—to fight on their behalf. If the weak and the oppressed were expected to engage in warfare, the command to fight would have been issued specifically to them.
Verse 8:60 commands the preparation of various forms of military equipment. It is not feasible for individuals or groups—who are weak or constitute a minority within a country—to amass such resources; this is something only a government can accomplish.
Even if an Islamic state exists and valid grounds for war are present, if the state lacks the necessary military strength, waging war does not become an obligation upon it.
Initially, it was declared that a military force one-tenth the size of the enemy's was sufficient (Quran 8:65).
Later, taking into account the weakness found among the people, it was declared that war becomes obligatory for the Islamic state only if it possesses at least half the military strength of the enemy; if the strength is less than that, one must exercise restraint and not wage war. This is the command of the Quran (Quran 8:66).
If even an Islamic government should not wage war when its military strength is less than half that of the enemy, how could war possibly be obligatory for people living as a minority within a country?
God made patience—rather than war—obligatory because war would result in immense loss for the community.
No one endured greater hardship than the Prophet (PBUH) did in Mecca. Yet, in that situation, the Prophet did not mobilize an army; he practiced patience. He engaged in warfare only after migrating to Medina, establishing a government, and facing circumstances that necessitated it.
It must also be noted that if Muslims correctly understand and act upon this, people will turn their attention toward Islam.
Therefore, the obligation to wage war arises only for the government when the need arises, not for individuals. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions were driven out of Mecca, losing their homes, properties, and all comforts. Upon arriving in Medina, they established an independent state.
Even after this, because the people of Mecca launched military campaigns, persecuted those who had embraced Islam in Mecca, and massacred some of them, God ordained the duty of warfare.
The stance Islam adopted was far less severe than the harsh measures any nation would take against an aggressor state.
Commands such as "Kill!" and "Strike!" are meant to be implemented on the battlefield; that is simply how conduct on the battlefield must be.
War is waged only against those who initiate aggression! (Quran 2:190, 9:13)
War is waged only against those who drove people out of their homes! (Quran 2:191, 22:40)
There is no war against those who withdraw from the conflict! (Quran 2:192)
War is waged for the sake of oppressed men, women, and children! (Quran 4:75, 22:39-40).There is no war against those who desire peace! (Quran 8:61)
War is not waged to propagate religion! (Quran 2:256, 9:6, 109:6)
This is what the Quran states. Islam holds that a Muslim government may wage war only if there is a just cause. It is wrong for individuals or groups to resort to violence in the name of Jihad.
No one can fault those who were driven from their homeland for fighting to reclaim their lost rights. It was on this basis that the war against Mecca was launched.
There is also a clear injunction against initiating hostilities. (Quran 2:190, 9:12, 13)