War and Peace in Islam

unilaterally. There is no permission for war in Islam without such actual aggression. The basic principle of Islam as regards war and peace can be found in these words of the Quran. “So long as they go straight with you, do you go straight with them.” (9:7) This Quranic injunction shows that the principle governing mutual relations between nations is that, if one of them adheres to the policy of peace, the other must do likewise. Believers are not permitted to start military engagements on one pretext or the other, if their antagonists show no intention of going to war. Therefore, there is no excuse for war except in response to actual aggression. As we know, the Prophet of Islam was born in Makkah in 570 A.D. He received the prophethood in 610 and lived as a prophet in this world for 23 years. During this 23 year period, he spent the first 13 years in Makkah and the last 10 years in Madinah. Some verses of the Quran were revealed in Makkah and some verses were revealed in Madinah. Now, what were his activities during this prophetic period? He taught people by reciting verses of the Quran which said: ‘Read in the name of your Lord ...’ and other such verses, which were peaceful teachings, being non-militant in nature, and ethical in value. He taught people how to pray, and to practice patience and tolerance, even in the face of oppression, and thus avoid conflict. He introduced the Quran to the people, as a main source of dawah and reform. He set the example of striving to secure not one’s seat in Dar-al Nadwah (Makkah’s parliament) but a seat in Paradise. His own life was a living example to others, and he showed that even with the 360 idols set up in a place as holy