Islam Rediscovered
11. Non-Violence and Islam
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The latter is established through various non-
political institutions. According to the scheme of
Islam, non-political institutions established at the
social level have always to remain stable. In this
way there is a continuing endeavour—even when
the political institutions have become corrupt, or
keep changing—to keep Islam firmly established at
the level of the non-political system.
THE COMMAND OF WAR IN ISLAM
It is a fact that certain verses in the Qur’an convey
the command to do battle (
qital
) (22:39). What the
special circumstances are which justify the issuance
of and compliance with this command we learn
from our study of the Qur’an.
1. The first point to be noted is that aggression or
the launching of an offensive by the believers is
not totally forbidden. It is permissible, but with
certain provisos. We are clearly commanded in
the Qur’an: Fight for the sake of God those that
fight against you,
but do not be aggressive
. (2:190)
2. Only defensive war is permitted in Islam. Such a
war is one in which aggression is committed by
