THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

This defense, however, is conditional. From studying the practices of the Prophet, it becomes clear that, even when the opposing side creates conditions for war, the initial effort is always to prevent the conflict from escalating into war. But if all attempts to avoid war fail and the opposing side initiates the war, then, as a last resort, war is permitted in defense. Islam is not a religion of political conquest or domination— it seeks to embed its teachings in human hearts. At its core, Islam is a path of intellectual and spiritual growth. Such a mission inherently values peace, for war disrupts the very environment essential for intellectual and moral development. Peace creates the conditions necessary for an atmosphere of tazkiyah (purification of the soul), while war obstructs it. INTERNATIONAL PRACTICES During the final years of the Prophet of Islam, two individuals in Arabia falsely claimed prophethood. One was Musaylimah ibn Habib from Yamamah, and the other was Aswad ibn Khaff from Sana’a. In the 10th year of the Hijra, Musaylimah sent a letter to the Prophet of Islam. The contents of the letter were as follows: “From the Messenger of God, Musaylimah, to the Messenger of God Muhammad. Peace be upon you. To proceed, I have been made a partner with you in the matter