Answer
Salam Dear Suliat,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
Before specifically answering your questions, I would like to underscore a few basic principles of Islam.
- The very word “Islam” signifies peace, particularly the peace we can attain here on earth as well as in the hereafter, by wholeheartedly submitting to Allah.
- As humans are gifted with freedom of will and action (within limits), they are likely to misuse the blessings Allah has given them in their own self-willed way, rather than to seek divine guidance. Hence, there are conflicts and wars and the suffering they involve.
- Since war is unavoidable, Allah permits us to fight, but He has set certain rules that we need to observe even in fighting.
- War is allowed only as a last resort, when all other options have failed. The objective of war in Islam is to establish peace and justice. It is indeed a paradox that we are often constrained to fight for peace.
- Islam categorically teaches us that no coercion should be used in matters of religion. Islam allows freedom of conscience.
Why Wars Were Waged Against the Pagans?
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was only one person preaching Islam in Makkah soon after he received his first revelation in his 40th year. Since then, he and the close followers were terribly persecuted by the pagan Quraish. This continued for 13 years.
Then the Prophet was commanded to emigrate to Madinah. He was received well by the people there and was accepted as a leader. When the people of Makkah who drove the Muslims out of their homes knew of this, they feared a retaliation, which they wanted to avoid at any cost.
So they set out in full battle array to wipe out Muhammad and Islam, and the result was the Battle of Badr. Instead of fleeing from the wrath of the powerful people of Makkah to a still farther city, the Prophet — commanded by Almighty Allah — stood his ground in Madinah and fought. The purpose of this fighting was clearly self-defense, as well as the defense of the right to preach the revelations of Allah. This is evident from the following verses:
{Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah does not love transgressors.} (Al-Baqarah 2:190)
{To those against whom war is made, permission is given [to defend themselves], because they are wronged; and verily, Allah is Most Powerful to give them victory — [they are] those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right — [for no cause] except that they say, “Our Lord is Allah” ….} (Al-Hajj 22:39–40)
While Muslims were allowed to fight, they were not permitted to be the aggressors. Also, clear orders were given to them to stop fighting the moment the enemies stop hostilities and wish for peace.
{And fight them on until there is no more persecution or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. But if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.} (Al-Baqarah 2:193)
The verses quoted above as well as the teachings of the Prophet are categorical in the sense that there should not be any fighting to revenge or to oppress. Also, we can see that fighting was adopted only when all doors to a peaceful settlement were closed and fighting was the only
option.
Causes of War in Modern Contexts
It is clear that causes of war in modern contexts are quite different from those in the Prophet’s time. In the first place, Islam never visualizes the existence of ”Muslim countries” with conflicting objectives. Initially, if the whole of the Muslim world is not united under one banner of Islam, that itself should be seen as a lapse from Islamic ideals.
If such unity is not possible for some reason and several Muslim countries must exist side by side, then these countries should
all abide by the guidelines given in the Quran and the Sunnah. These guidelines stipulate that the settlement of issues should be through negotiations, rather than armed conflicts.
Fourteen centuries before the establishment of the League of Nations and later the United Nations, Islam had decreed such a rule for Muslim peoples. This principle is based on the Quranic verses:
{If two parties among the believers fall into a quarrel, make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah. But if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair, for Allah loves those who are fair (and just). The believers are but a single brotherhood. So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.} (Al-Hujurat 49: 9–10)
One of the major shortcomings of modern international politics is its scant regard for moral obligation. Time and again, treaties and agreements are violated.
From the outset, Islam has emphatically prohibited treachery and breach of trust. Recent examples of signing a pact with a nation with a hidden intent to attack it are diametrically opposed to the rules of combat Islam has laid down. In the Quran, Allah says,
{O you who believe, fulfill your undertakings} (Al-Ma’idah 5:1)
{Fulfill the covenant of Allah when ye have covenanted, and break not your oaths after the asseveration of them, and after ye have made Allah surety over you. Lo! Allah knoweth what ye do.} (An-Nahl 16:91)
If the Muslim nations disregard the guidance of Allah in the matter of settling issues among them, while insisting on narrow considerations, such as race, nationalism, or geopolitical boundaries, then their very being “Muslim” would be questioned.
In Islam, war is certainly not viewed as a solution to problems, but rather as an avoidable evil: Islam encourages all peaceful means to avoid war.
Was Islam Spread by the Sword?
No, emphatically no. There were wars, but those wars were for various reasons other than religion. And if some misguided Muslim rulers or commanders did pursue the aim of proselytizing through force, then what they did was explicitly against the clear injunctions of Allah given in the Quran. This is because the Quran is unambiguous in its prohibition of the use of force in the matter of preaching religion:
{Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from Error} (Al-Baqarah 2:256)
{Say: “The Truth is from your Lord.” Let those who will, believe; and let those who will, reject (it)} (Al-Kahf 18:29)
It is mostly a Western missionary propaganda that the Muslim conquests in history were aimed at the spread of Islam. In fact, the objectives of these conquests were political, which to a certain extent might have helped to create an atmosphere conducive to the spread of Islam.
Even if the Muslim conquests helped the spread of Islam, how can we explain the phenomenon of Islam becoming the fastest growing religion now, especially in the West, long after the sword was taken away from Muslim hands?
The teachings of the Quran are explicit that Muslims should always strive for truth and justice, wherever they are. And the Prophet instructed his followers to maintain the utmost discipline in battles, to avoid injury to the innocent, and to use only the minimum force needed.
Even a cursory study of the Quran can persuade an objective researcher that Islam neither permits nor condones violence.
I hope this answers your question. Please keep in touch.
Salam.