Non-Violence and Islam
Non-Violence and Islam
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In every society there are always two systems side
by side, one political and the other non-political.
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)
