THE EXAMPLE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD, MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM

Peace in the Quran ~ 34 ~ Quranic commands to do battle were always specific to particular sets of circumstances, and were not meant to be indiscriminately applied at the will of individuals. Islam, while violent circumstances inevitably result in antagonism towards Islam. WAR: A STATE ACTION In Islam, war is not the prerogative of the individual but of an established government. Only an established government can declare war. In other words, individuals can pray on their own, but they cannot wage wars of their own accord. Only when a war is declared by the ruling government, can the public join in and support it, and not before that. Islam does not sanction individual actions on this issue. As a general principle, the Quran tells us that, even where an external attack is feared, the common man should not act independently, but should take the matter to the ruler, then under his guidance take proper counter measures. (4:83).