At the same time...

At the same time, whosoever backs away from jihad for fear of losing his life or worldly possessions, the Qur’an says “such are men whom Allah has cursed for he has made them deaf and blinded their sight”[^10] Jihad, manifested as war, is fought for either one of, or the sum of, three reasons.

Jihad may be fought to defend and protect the Muslim umma [^11] and the religion against persecution and oppression as was fought by the Prophet in the first days of the establishment of Islam in Makka and Madina. It may also be fought to ensure the liberation of mankind on earth so that they may serve Allah SWT alone.

This does not imply that Muslims must fight to compel non-Muslims to accept the religion of Islam as one of the main principles of Islam is “there shall be no compulsion in religion”[^12] . Finally jihad is fought to remove obstacles which prevent the call of Islam from being spread. All three reasons may point to the same conclusion; Muslims have been ordered to fight jihad to free mankind from regimes which impede them from recognizing that all submission is owed to Allah alone[^13] .

In all situations however, peace, when offered, must be accepted. Allah SWT says; “If they incline towards peace, incline also to it and trust in Allah. He is the Hearer and the Knower” [^14] “If they hold aloof from you and wage no war against you and offer peace, Allah allows you no way against them”[^15] “O you who believe!

When you go forth to fight in the way of Allah say not unto those who offer you peace ‘thou are not a believer’ seeking the chance to profit of his life so that you may despoil him” [^16] Where war is to be waged, Islam has laid down set rules and guidelines for conducting the war. Neither women, children nor the infirm, the weak or the old may be attacked or killed. The war is taken to and fought with only those combatant men who come out to fight[^17] .

Prisoners of war, if taken, may either be enslaved or released on ransom[^18] . The killing of prisoners is only allowed where it is established, without a doubt, that leaving them alive will be dangerous to the Muslim umma. Previous…