Spirit of Islam, Jan 2013

DOES ISLAM PERMIT VIOLENCE? DOES Islam permit violence? No, it does not. However it is true that Islam grants permission to fight in self-defence as a last resort, just as is done by any other religious or non-religious system of justice. But perpetration of violence is completely different from self-defence, and is expressly forbidden in Islam. The purpose of violence, in the sense in which it is generally used, is to coerce or destroy an enemy. This has no justification or sanction in Islam. If someone is considered an enemy by someone else, that does not make it lawful for the latter to engage in violence aimed at destruction. A study of the Quran shows that Islam differentiates between enemies and aggressors. If a group unilaterally commits violent aggression without provocation against another, the latter have the right, according to the Quran, to counter this action in self-defence, using violence only if necessary in retaliation. The Quran says— “Permission to take up arms is given to those who are attacked.” THE QURAN, 22: 39 But dealings with enemies are a totally different matter. The teachings of Islam on this subject are exactly the same as those of Jesus Christ, from the Bible— “Love your enemy.” LUKE, 6: 31 The following verse of the Quran advises us of the correct Islamic Principles in any dealings with enemies— “And who is better in speech than he who invites men to the service of God, and does good works, and says,“I am surely of those who submit”? And good and evil are not alike. Requite evil with good, and he who is your enemy will become your dearest friend.” THE QURAN, 41: 33-34 This shows that according to the teachings of Islam, our duty is not to annihilate any enemies, but to befriend them. According to Islam,