RAMAZAN AND WARFARE

Peace in Islam is the rule and war an exception. In Islam war is an act of compulsion rather than an option. The Prophet observed: Do not wish for confrontation with the enemy, instead ask for peace from God. (Sahih al-Bukhari) This illustrates the basic principle of Islam vis-a-vis war. Peace is the rule and war an exception. In Islam, war is an act of compulsion rather than an option. The situation of war is not created by the believers but forced on them requiring a response in self-defence. The month of Ramazan is called the month of patience. It is the month of self-control; curbing desire; not being provoked in spite of provocation; developing spirituality by enduring the pangs of hunger and thirst; and striving to come closer to God by remembering Him through prayer and the reading of the Quran. This is possible only when man distances himself from the human world and brings himself closer to the spiritual world of God. These dictums amply make it clear that Ramazan is the month of peace. This is the month of awakening one’s inner nature, to be engrossed in thoughts of God, rather than in embroiling oneself in worldly matters. On sighting the new moon of Ramazan, the Prophet Muhammad observed: ‘O God, let the moon of the month of Ramazan appear on us with peace and security.’ (At-Tirmizi, Ad-Darmi, Musnad Ahmad). The above Dua (supplication) shows the feelings with which the Prophet of Islam welcomed the month of Ramazan. These words of the Prophet provide a definite proof that Ramazan has nothing to do with war. Rather it aims at building a society in which peace and goodwill flourish. On fasting during Ramazan, the Quran says: “So that you may guard yourselves” (2: 183). Fasting has been prescribed to enable people to follow the right path; to receive training for a life of righteousness (Taqwa).