THE COMMAND OF WAR IN ISLAM

~ 60 ~ THE COMMAND OF WAR IN ISLAM It is a fact that certain verses in the Qur’an convey the command to do battle (qital) (22:39). What the special circumstances are which justify the issuance of and compliance with this command we learn from our study of the Qur’an. 1. The first point to be noted is that aggression or the launching of an offensive by the believers is not totally forbidden. It is permissible, but with certain provisos. We are clearly commanded in the Qur’an: Fight for the sake of God those that fight against you, but do not be aggressive. (2:190) 2. Only defensive war is permitted in Islam. Such a war is one in which, as the Qur’an says: “They were the first to attack you.” (9:13) i.e. aggression is committed by some other party so that the believers have to fight in self-defence. Initiating hostilities is not permitted for Muslims. Furthermore, even in the case of the offensive being launched by an opposing group, the believers are not supposed to retaliate immediately. Rather in the beginning all efforts are to be made to avert war,