Islam GCSE Revision: Religion, peace and conflict - AQA

• The Arabic definition of Islam is 'submission' and also has roots from the Arabic word for peace - salaam.
• Whilst there is not a distinct Just War theory in Islam, rules about behaviour before and during war are provided in Islamic sources and have evolved over time.
• Lesser jihad can be defined as a war which is justified according to a set of rules within Islam. Holy wars can be a form of lesser jihad.

Remember

There are two main branches of Islam - Sunni and Shi’a. Find out more about the different branches of Islam.

This means that there is a variety of Muslim teachings on many ethical issues, including those found in the thematic study of religion, peace and conflict.

Watch the video below to compare Muslim, Christian and Sikh attitudes towards whether war can ever be justified.

Key concepts in religion, peace and conflict

The key terms below will appear repeatedly through the theme of Islam, peace and conflict.

For your exam on religion, peace and conflict, it is important to know the definitions of key terms. Take the quiz below to test your knowledge.

War is an organised conflict, usually consisting of intense violence carried out by one state or states against another state or states.

The reasons for war are often complicated and interlinked. Islamic teachings say they may include one of these three elements:

• Greed - Muslim teachings warn against greed. “God does not like arrogant, boastful people, who are miserly and order other people to be the same, hiding what God has given them”. (Qur’an 4:36-37)

• Self-defence - Some Muslims may accept war may be necessary if acting in self-defence, especially if peaceful attempts at reconciliation have failed. “Those who have been attacked are permitted to take up arms because they have been wronged. God has the power to help them.” (Qur’an 22:39)

• Retaliation - This is seen by many Muslims as making a bad situation worse. Whilst teachings show that forgiveness and reconciliation are the better course of action, sometimes retaliation is the only effective response. “If you have to respond to an attack, make your response proportionate, but if you are patient, it will be better for those who are patient.” (Qur’an 16:126)

Lesser jihad

Lesser jihad is about defending Islam from threat:

Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory”

Qur’an 22:39

While the Qur’an allows violence to defend Islam, it warns against going beyond the limits of what is necessary for this defence:

Fight in the way of Allah those who fight against you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors”

Qur’an 2:190

Similarly, every opportunity should be seized to make peace with an enemy:

If the enemy is inclined towards peace, do make peace with them, and put your trust in Allah. He is the One Who hears all, knows all”

Qur’an 8:61

There are strict rules about how lesser jihad can be carried out. For instance:

1. It must be in self-defence
2. No harm must be done to innocent people
3. Peace must be restored
4. Mercy must be shown

Islam teaches that lesser jihad can never be used to justify terrorist attacks.

Whilst there is not a distinct Just War theory in Islam, rules about behaviour before and during war are provided in Islamic sources and have evolved over time.

The main rules that have developed are:

• Last resort - Going to war should be the very last choice after trying to resolve issues. All other ways of resolving the conflict should have been tried first, such as diplomacy or economic sanctions.

• Fought in self-defence - The initial act of aggression should come from elsewhere and all efforts should have been made to resolve the issues before going to war.

• Legitimate Islamic authority - Those declaring war should be in a legitimate position to do so, such as the recognised government or religious leaders.

• Just cause - Protection or self-defence could be seen as acceptable reasons for going to war.

• Intention of going to war - The intention of the war should be that it results in peace. There should be more good achieved by the war than the evil leading to it.

• An Islamic country has been attacked - It may be seen as acceptable to engage in war if a Muslim nation, or individuals are attacked.

• Proportional and appropriate force - "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits…if they cease let there be no hostility." (Qur'an 2:190-193)

Many Muslims believe that behaviour in war is extremely important:

Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone”

Abu Bakr – the first Caliph

Islam strongly opposes terrorism.

In opposing terrorism, Muslims may look to the teaching ‘Do not take life, which God has made sacred’ (Qur’an 17:33) to understand that terrorism should not be part of their faith.

Terrorism is illegal and the current UK definition is set out in the Terrorism Act 2000:

The use or threat of serious violence against a person or serious damage to property where that action is: designed to influence the government or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public or a section of the public; and for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause."

Examples of modern terror attacks include:

• 11 September 2001, suicide attackers seized US passenger planes and crashed them into two New York skyscrapers, killing 2,977 people.

• 22 July 2011, Anders Breivik killed 77 people in Norway by firstly detonating a van bomb and then carrying out a mass shooting.

• 14 October 2017, at least 587 people were killed in a truck bombing in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

After the London Bridge attack in 2019, where Usman Khan murdered two people and injured a further three in a terror-related attack, the Muslim Council of Britain Secretary General, Harun Khan said:

Once again we have witnessed a horrific act of violence on our streets targeting innocent people. Sadly, we mourn the loss of two people and my condolences go out to their loved ones. We praise the swift actions of our emergency services in containing the incident and preventing further loss of life."

This encourages Muslims to stand against terrorism as action as carried out in anger and injustice, do not solve problems, but instead can cause more destruction.

Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) can kill lots of people and include chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.

Nuclear weapons are enormously powerful explosives that use a nuclear reaction. The explosions they produce are so powerful that one nuclear bomb can destroy a large city, which indiscriminately kills huge numbers of people.

No religion agrees with the use of weapons of mass destruction.

In Islam the amount and extent of destruction caused by these weapons break the rules of lesser jihad, so their use is forbidden.

Scholars believe that possession and development of atomic weapons and WMDs are not permitted.

Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli spoke in 2014 saying that weapons of mass destruction should not be used.

Most Muslims believe that because God is the creator of the world, they have the duty of being a Khalifah which is the responsibility of looking after it.

Do not contribute to your own destruction with your own hands, but do good, for God loves those who do good.”

Qur’an 2:195

Therefore, humans do not have the right to use weapons that cause death, especially weapons that are non-discriminating in who is targeted.

In 2014, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, a Muslim Academic, said: “It is Haram (forbidden) to develop and deploy nuclear weapons. The Shari’ah, the ethical and moral law of Islam, absolutely prohibits the development of such destructive weapons.”

For many Muslims, justice means bringing fairness back into a situation. Despite the difficulties in carrying out justice, many believe that justice is important to prevent conflict and deal with the aftermath of war.

In Islam, one of the 99 names of God is, ‘The Just’. Muslims believe that God has given humanity laws to bring justice to all people and where there is injustice, it is the fault of people not following those laws.

You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly - if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do.”

Qur’an 4:135

Muslims believe that there will come a time when God, who is the final judge of all things, will ensure that there is ultimate peace in Heaven for those who enter it.

For those whose scales are heavy with good deeds, they will be in a life of bliss. For those whose scales are light, their home will be the abyss.”

Qur’an 101:6-9

However, until that time, many Muslims believe that they should place their efforts into making up for wrongs and striving towards what is right and just.

God commands justice and fair dealing.”

Qur’an 16:90

Watch the video below to compare Muslim, Christian and Jewish attitudes towards whether religious people should always be pacifists.

Peace means an absence of conflict, the opposite of war, which can then lead to happiness and harmony between all in society.

Muslims will often greet or say farewell to others by using the words ‘as-salamu alaikum’ which means, ‘may peace be with you’.

Islamic teaching encourages Muslims to speak peace to others:

The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk humbly on the earth, and who, when aggressive people address them, reply, with words of peace.”

Qur’an 25:63

As well as teaching that, “The faithful are indeed brothers. Therefore, make peace between your brothers and be wary of Allah, so that you may receive His mercy.” (Qur’an 49:10)

Pacifism means rejecting all violence. Islam is not a pacifist religion, although the religion is based on the principles of peace. The Arabic word ‘Islam’ comes from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace as well as also meaning ‘surrender’ or ‘submission’:

Make peace between your brothers and be wary of Allah, so that you may receive His mercy.”

Qur’an 49:10

Individually many Muslims are pacifists. The Qur’an teaches that reconciliation and peace are a better way of fighting than war.

A garden [i.e. Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people.”

Qur’an 3:133-124

Case study - Muhammad Ali

Boxing star Muhammad Ali converted to Islam as an adult. Due to his religious beliefs, he refused to be enlisted into the US army and fight in Vietnam.

I either have to obey the laws of the land or the laws of Allah.”

Muhammad Ali

On 20th June 1967, he was convicted of refusing induction into the U.S. armed forces and sentenced to five years in prison. Although he served this time on bail, it took four years before this decision was overturned by the US Supreme Court.

It has been said that I have two alternatives, either go to jail or go to the army. But I would like to say there is another alternative. And that alternative is justice."

Muhammad Ali, 1967

Case study - Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1890-1988), was a 20th century leader of the Pashtuns.

He became a follower of Mahatma Ghandi and campaigned non-violently against British rule and for the rights of the Pashtun people. He brought together a group from the Pashtun people and encouraged them to represent a non-violent alternative of Islamic political resistance.

Islam teaches that forgiveness and reconciliation are important following conflict, or after crimes have been committed.

But if a person forgives and makes recompense, his reward is due from Allah.”

Qur’an 42:40

For Muslims, forgiveness is a part of greater jihad, which in Islam, is a constant duty and is seen as an act of worship.

Greater jihad involves striving to:

• follow the Five Pillars of Islam
• forgive others
• work for social justice
• study the Qur’an
• help those in need
• avoid negative traits, such as greed or laziness
• avoid temptations, such as alcohol

Many Muslims in the UK and around the world will especially seek forgiveness for those who have harmed them whilst commemorating the Night of Power during the month of Ramadan. Forgiving others is believed by many Muslims to bring forgiveness to the individual.

Muslims believe that forgiveness is important if peace is to happen. Where forgiveness is needed, it should be unconditional and not offered grudgingly. This does not mean that no action, where appropriate, should be taken. God is all forgiving and as he forgives them, Muslims believe they should seek to forgive each other.

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is making up and rebuilding relationships between two sides after a conflict. It is more than just apologising, it is actively working towards peace and moving on from the situation.

Despite the difficulties, many Muslims believe that forgiveness and reconciliation are important not just once war has happened but also as a way of preventing conflict.

Something more excellent in degree than fasting, prayer and almsgiving … It is putting things right between people.”

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad, Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 4919

In Islam, holy war can be seen as a part of the lesser jihad, where Islam and the protection of the ummah is very important.

Originally, a holy war was something that could only be authorised by Allah through Prophet Muhammad. As time went on, a holy war was something that was authorised by a legitimate religious authority. It must only ever be fought if Islam is seen to be under threat or Muslims are being targeted unfairly. However, it must still follow the lesser jihad rules.

To those against whom war is made, permission is given to fight, because they are wronged.”

Qur'an 22:39