Islam and Peace
Non-Violence and Islam
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get him embroiled in war, but on all such occasions,
he managed to resort to some such strategy as
averted the war, thus defusing the situation.
There were only three instances of Muslims really
entering the field of battle – Badr, Uhud and
Hunayn. But the events tell us that on all these
occasions, war had become inevitable, so that the
Prophet was compelled to encounter the
aggressors in self-defence. Furthermore, these
battles lasted only for half a day, each beginning
from noon and ending with the setting of the sun.
Thus it would be proper to say that the Prophet in
his entire life span had actively engaged in war for
a total of a day and a half. That is to say, the
Prophet had observed the principle of non-violence
throughout his 23-year prophetic career, except for
one and a half days.
The Islamic method, being based totally on the
principle of non-violence, it is unlawful for
believers to initiate hostilities. Except in cases
where self-defence has become inevitable, the
Qur’an in no circumstance gives permission for
violence.
