PEACE IN ISLAM

according to the laws of war, as stated in the Quran, all wars, except for those in self-defence, are unlawful. For instance, guerrilla war, proxy war, undeclared war and aggressive war, are all undoubtedly unlawful in Islam. Peace is the preferable option in every circumstance, except, again, where different strategies to implement it have been tried and have failed, and where armed self-defence becomes necessary for survival. Jihad The Quran commands us to carry out ‘Jihad by means of it.’ (THE QURAN 25: 52). As we know, the Quran is a book—an ideological book. Therefore, ‘jihad’ by means of the Quran can only mean conveying the ideas of the Quran to the people. Killing a single human being without proven justification is equivalent to killing all human beings. The above-mentioned verse makes it clear that what is called jihad in Islam entails only the kind of peaceful struggle which has nothing to do with violence. The Arabic word jihad means to strive, to struggle, that is, to exert oneself to the utmost to achieve one’s goal. For an explanation of the concept of jihad in Islam, see the article ‘The True Jihad’ on page 24 Adopting the Course of Reconciliation The Quran states: Reconciliation is best. THE QURAN 4: 128 God has thus decreed that success will be achieved only through a reconciliatory path, and not through a confrontational or a violent course of action. One of the commandments of the Quran, addressing the enmity between the Muslims and the Quraysh was: And if they incline towards peace, you too incline to it, and put your trust in God. Surely, it is He Who is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. And if they intend to deceive you, then surely God is sufficient for you. THE QURAN 8: 61-62