Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
6. War and Peace in Islam
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At yet another place the Quran states it clearly that war can be
waged only when it has been initiated by the other party. This verse
of the Quran on this subject is very explicit:
“It was they who initiated hostilities against you in the
first place.” (9:13)
A study of the Quran, Hadith and Fiqh tells us that Islam gives
permission to fight only in defence. Yet even in the waging of a
defensive war, Islam sets clear conditions. An Islamic war is one
which is waged by only fulfilling all these conditions. A war in
which these conditions are not observed is not an Islamic war, even
if this is waged by Muslims in the name of Islam. Here are some of
the conditions:
1. War can be declared only by an established government.
Non-governmental organisations have no permission to
wage war. War is a state matter in Islam. The public has
only the permission to work peacefully. They are not
allowed to go to the extent of engaging themselves in
armed struggle.
2. Even for a genuine war it is essential that it be formally
declared. Undeclared war is not permissible, even by a
government.
3. Even in a genuine war Islam allows only combatants to be
attacked. The killing of non-combatants is not allowed in
any war, however justified it might be. According to the
Islamic conditions a lawful war is only one which is a
defensive war, no war like gorilla war, proxy war,
