Golden Words of Allah

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All perfect praise be to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Allah says concerning; Justice in warfare.

The Islamic view of justice in warfare, as outlined in the Quran and Hadith, emphasizes strict ethical guidelines, fairness, and the pursuit of peace. Islam permits warfare only as a last resort, primarily in self-defense or to protect the rights of the oppressed. Even in warfare, strict rules govern the conduct of Muslims, ensuring the preservation of justice and humanity.

1. War as a Last Resort:
The Quran explicitly allows fighting only in cases of self-defense or to combat oppression, and only when peaceful solutions have been exhausted:
Quranic reference (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190): “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.”
Hadith reference (Sahih Muslim): The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Do not commit treachery, do not mutilate, and do not kill children.”

2. Conduct During Warfare:
(Prohibition of Killing Non-Combatants) Islam prohibits harming non-combatants, including women, children, and the elderly.
Quranic reference (Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:8): “Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them…”
Hadith reference (Sahih Bukhari): “Do not kill women, children, the elderly, or religious people.”

3. Protection of the Environment and Resources:
The ethical principles in Islam extend to protecting the environment and public resources during warfare:
Hadith reference (Sunan Abu Dawood): “Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees, do not destroy buildings, do not kill animals except for eating, and do not kill religious people who are dedicated to their places of worship.”

4. Justice for the Oppressed:
Fighting is permitted to defend those who are oppressed and unable to protect themselves.
Quranic reference (Surah An-Nisa 4:75): “And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children…”
Hadith reference (Sahih Muslim): “Help your brother whether he is an oppressor or an oppressed.” The Prophet was asked, “How do we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet replied, “By preventing him from oppressing others.”

5. Seeking Peace Over Conflict:
Even during conflict, Islam encourages seeking peaceful resolutions.
Quranic reference (Surah Al-Anfal 8:61): “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah…”
Hadith reference (Sahih Bukhari): “The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, ‘Do not wish for war, but if you encounter it, be patient.’”

Conclusion:
The Quran and Hadith together provide a comprehensive framework for justice in warfare, emphasizing restraint, ethical conduct, and the pursuit of peace. Warfare is permitted only in self-defense or to protect the oppressed, and even then, the principles of fairness, the protection of non-combatants, and environmental preservation are key. The ultimate goal is to restore peace and justice, aligning with the broader Islamic emphasis on mercy and compassion.

And Allah knows best…

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