Ads by Muslim Ad Network

The Humane Rules of Warfare in Islam

02 August, 2019
Q Hello. I study religion. I am a Christian from birth. I have 5 questions about Islam. Can you answer?1. Quran. This book was sent down because old writings such as the Torah, the Bible, according to Muslims, were lost or changed by people. What is the evidence of the immutability of the Qur'an? 1 my Muslim friend told me that it would be better if I studied the Christian texts before the Qur'an. Because the information about the prophets in the Quran is not fully disclosed. Muslims do not know a single book of the Old Testament, with the exception of the books of Moses and David. They are amazed when they find in the New Testament the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the multitude of the Epistles and the mysterious book called The Revelation of John the Divine (Apocalypse). For them, the fact that the Bible consists of 66 books is completely unexpected. Therefore, it is especially important to explain to them with love and patience that the Word of God includes two parts: 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament. Among the treasures of Christians there are ancient manuscripts that belong to the historical era, many generations preceding the emergence of Islam. Among them: The Code of Alexandria, named after the city in which it was written. This was presented to the English King Charles I by the Patriarch of Constantinople Cyril in 1628 AD. Cyril brought him with him from Alexandria, where he had previously been the patriarch. Written in Greek, it contains all the books of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. On the first page, in the margins, it is indicated that the entire book was entirely copied by hand from a noble Egyptian woman named Takla in about 325 AD. On this remark, Patriarch Kirill personally noted that, in his opinion, the date is correct. The document is written in clear handwriting on parchment, each sheet is divided into two columns, and each column contains 50 lines. It is currently in the British Museum in London. The Vatican Codex is named so as it is stored in the Vatican library. It is written on excellent parchment in a small clear standard font. Each page has three columns with 42 lines in each. This list contains all the books of the Bible in Greek. Scientists believe that it is written about 300 AD. The Sinai Code, competing with the Vatican in age and perhaps even slightly older than the latter. Comparison of these texts is very important. This is called Sinai due to the fact that it was found on Mount Sinai in the monastery of St. Catherine by the scientist Tischendorf in 1844. The list is written in large, clear standard handwriting on thin parchment, with four columns on each page. It was presented to scientists as a gift to the Russian monarkh Alexander and remained in Russia until the revolution, when it was sold to the British Museum in London, in which it is kept until now. The Efremov manuscript is located in the National Library of Paris. It contains all the books of the Bible in Greek. It is written on parchment with beautiful handwriting without punctuation and spaces, the first letter of each line more than any other. It refers to approximately 450 AD. All these ancient manuscripts give an answer to those who would like to consider the Holy Scriptures of Christians as fakes, and show that it is authentic because it is written before the Koran. The Bible that we use today is no different from ancient copies. The Koran confirms the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures. Those who read it are amazed by its so clear evidence that no explanation is required. This testimony is repeated several times in the suras of the Qur'an, as can be seen from the passages below: Surely We revealed the Taurat in which was guidance and light; with it the prophets who submitted themselves (to Allah) judged (matters) for those who were Jews, and the masters of Divine knowledge and the doctors, because they were required to guard (part) of the Book of Allah, and they were witnesses thereof; therefore fear not the people and fear Me, and do not take a small price for My communications; and whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the unbelievers. (5.44) And We sent after them in their footsteps Isa, son of Marium, verifying what was before him of the Taurat and We gave him the Injeel in which was guidance and light, and verifying what was before it of Taurat and a guidance and an admonition for those who guard (against evil). (5.46) And We have revealed to you the Book with the truth, verifying what is before it of the Book and a guardian over it, therefore judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their low desires (to turn away) from the truth that has come to you; for every one of you did We appoint a law and a way, and if Allah had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return, of all (of you), so He will let you know that in which you differed. (5.48) In the first place it says about the authenticity of the Torah, that it provides us with the correct guide against errors and light in the analysis of the cases to be disassembled by the prophets, in accordance with God's Book entrusted to them, whose veracity they are witnesses. In the second place, it is said that Christ confirmed the authenticity of the Torah and that His teaching — guidance, light and warning — confirms what was previously recorded in God's books. In the third, the Qur'an states that Revelation was announced to Muhammad, thereby proving that Holy Scripture existed before him and that he had to be his keeper, and that he should execute judgment on the basis of God's instructions, thereby confirming the authenticity of both Covenants. In confirmation of the Torah and the Gospel, the Quran continues to urge its followers to carry them further: Say: O followers of the Book! you follow no good till you keep up the Taurat and the Injeel and that which is revealed to you from your Lord; and surely that which has been revealed to you from your Lord shall make many of them increase in inordinacy and unbelief; grieve not therefore for the unbelieving people. (5.68) The Koran also admonishes believers in the Gospel to obey the commandments contained in their books, and describes those who neglect them as unjust and wicked. And the followers of the Injeel should have judged by what Allah revealed in it; and whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the transgressors. (5.47) O you who believe! believe in Allah and His Apostle and the Book which He has revealed to His Apostle and the Book which He revealed before; and whoever disbelieves in Allah and His angels and His apostles and the last day, he indeed strays off into a remote error. (4.136) From the foregoing, it becomes clear that: a) The Koran calls upon the people to carry on the commands of the Torah and the Gospel. This is an unconditional recognition of the authenticity of these books and their integrity, asserting the believer in salvation, which is righteousness, and containing authoritative instructions about human behavior. b) The Koran tells all believers, including Muslims, to trust the Koran and the Book, which was a revelation to people before him, that is, the Torah and the Gospel. It contains a clear call for Muslims to accept and trust the Torah and the Gospel, this is contained in the following verses: These are they to whom We gave the book and the wisdom and the prophecy; therefore if these disbelieve in it We have already entrusted with it a people who are not disbelievers in it. These are they whom Allah guided, therefore follow their guidance. Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it; it is nothing but a reminder to the nations. (6,89.90) The Qur'an recognizes the competence of the Bible in properly assessing things in the spiritual field: And how do they make you a judge and they have the Taurat wherein is Allah's judgment? Yet they turn back after that, and these are not the believers. (5.43) This verse shows that one who obeys the commandments of the Bible does not need any other book. And accordingly, who turned away from God's book, knowing that it contains truth, is called infidel.I am convinced that the Bible is unchanged. Prove to me the opposite of what was said in the Quran, and prove to me the immutability of the Quran!2. Everything in our world, all our actions, are predetermined by Allah. And Allah has created you and what you make. (37.96) Indeed, all things We created with predestination. (54.49) What is the point of living if we know that our actions are predetermined by Allah and we do not have the right to freedom of action?3. Allah does not want a man to know him. In Islam, a person should not seek to seek the knowledge of God Himself. Why live for God, if the meaning of life in Islam is observance of Sharia?4. How can Islam wage wars and still be a religion of peace? Allah does not want a man to know him. In Islam, a person should not seek the knowledge of God Himself. Why live for God, if the meaning of life in Islam is the observance of Sharia? How can Islam be the religion of peace, if at the very beginning Islam was spreading in merciless bloody wars?5. Reincarnation. Why does Islam reject reincarnation if Allah can do everything?Thanks in advance!

Answer

Short Answer: In self-defense as well as for defending the fundamental freedoms of man, Muslims have fought. But Islam never allows the use of force in religious propagation. For the first time in the history of warfare, it was Islam that adopted an attitude of mercy and caring for the captured enemy. Unprecedented by previous legal systems, Islam set the rule that in war the captives are to be sheltered and the wounded are medically treated. Islam never fought civilian populations; the Islamic war was one of liberation and not one of coercion. The liberated people had the freedom to live by their religion, and Muslims often fought to ensure this freedom. The fact is that there are no rules of warfare more humane and realistic, than the rules of Islam.

 ………….

Part 1        Part 2        Part 3

Salam brother,

Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.

Ads by Muslim Ad Network

Christian scholars tell us that we know God only by knowing Jesus; or by reading the Bible: First, believe that Jesus is God and then try to know him. And the way to know Jesus is to read the gospels.

By the same token a Muslim can try to know God by reading the Quran:

The Quran teaches: Allah is One and Unique. He has no son, partner, or equal. He is the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

Allah is without beginning, without end. He is All-Powerful, All-Knowing. No affair occurs in the visible or the invisible world without His decree or outside His will. His mercy encompasses everything. Allah is never away from His creation. He is present everywhere; indeed He is closer to man than his own jugular vein. But there is none like Him. Indeed there is no way of knowing Him personally; as we cannot see Him, hear Him, etc. Because He is a Transcendental Entity beyond space and time. 

It is a mere fantasy to imagine that one can have a personal relationship with God as one has with another human. One’s relationship with God is of a spiritual nature; high above the kind of feeling one can have with one’s father, mother or beloved.

Shari’a means basically the same as Law. Remember the Torah is the Law of God revealed to Moses. Similarly, Shari’a means the Law derived from God’s revelation to the Last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Shari’a helps a Muslim to lead a life of submission to Allah’s will. So Shari’a does not take a person away from God; rather it is the way for us to live as God wants us to live on earth.

Your next question is: How can Islam be the religion of peace if at the very beginning Islam was spreading in merciless bloody wars?

Human history has taught us that war is unavoidable. It is interesting to compare how war is viewed in Christianity and Islam.

Jesus in his gospels teaches us:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44), “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39)

These are ideals beyond the pale of practicality. But they inspire us to tame our passions and to quell the flames of anger or revenge.

In fact, the Christian theory of a just war originated with St Augustine four centuries after Christ. Influenced by Paul’s realism rather than by Christ’s idealism, Augustine outlined conditions for waging a “just war”.

But the warmongering Israelis and Christian Zionists of today seem to follow Biblical verses of a different tenor:

“Every one that is found shall be thrust through, and everyone that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword. Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.” (Isaiah 13:15-16)

To know of Christian atrocities or wars in history go to the site: http://www.truthbeknown.com/victims.htm

War as Visualized by Islam

The Quran emphasizes balance and justice that are central to the design and order underlying Allah’s Creation. Indeed the basics of Islam called the pillars of faith and practice to correspond to Peace and Justice. The word ‘Islam’ comes from the same root as salam meaning “peace” and, the Religion of Islam is based upon total submission to the will of God. Indeed real peace is possible only on a foundation of justice.

The acceptance of human equality and the recognition of human rights are religious obligations of Muslims. Only a properly established government can decide to wage war or make a treaty for peace. Allah commands us to avoid shameful deeds, injustice, and rebellion. He commands us to be just, even if we dislike a people:

“O you who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety…”  (Quran 5:8)

Given the nature of man, one cannot imagine a world without wars. The best we can strive for is to have a code of rules for war based on justice. It is the merit of Islam that it does provide such rules, which remain ever nobler and more realistic than any other code existing for the conduct of war.https://quran.com/2/190-200

In Islam worship does not cease even during the war. Islam maintains that whatever is prohibited during peace is also prohibited during the war.

Allah says in the Quran:

“Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors.” (Holy Qur’an 2:190)

This means: (1) Never commit aggression; fighting is allowed only for self-defense. (2) Non-combatants should not be harmed. The Quran prohibits the use of force for religious propagation: “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” The secret of Islam’s spread in the world is the simplicity of the truths it upholds, such as the Oneness of God, the equality of humans and the spiritual peace it offers through submission to Allah’s laws.

In self-defense as well as for defending the fundamental freedoms of man, Muslims have fought. But Islam never allows the use of force in religious propagation.

For the first time in the history of warfare, it was Islam that adopted an attitude of mercy and caring for the captured enemy. Unprecedented by previous legal systems, Islam set the rule that in war the captives are to be sheltered and the wounded are medically treated.  

Islam never fought civilian populations; the Islamic war was one of liberation and not one of coercion. The liberated people had the freedom to live by their religion, and Muslims often fought to ensure this freedom.

The fact is that there are no rules of warfare more humane and realistic, than the rules of Islam.

And Allah knows best.

I hope this helps.

Salam and please keep in touch.

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:

If God Has Determined Everything, Don’t Humans Have Freedom of Action?

Queries and Allegations About The Bible and The Quran

Questions on Islam from a Ukrainian Christian

 

 

 

 

 

About Professor Shahul Hameed
Professor Shahul Hameed is an Islamic consultant. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.