{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1595640,
        "msgid": "how-islam-regulates-the-conduct-of-warfare-these-are-its-principles-1772895424",
        "date": "2026-03-07 21:00:00",
        "title": "How Islam Regulates the Conduct of Warfare: These Are Its Principles",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNBC",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Anthropology",
        "summary": "Islam treats warfare as a defensive last resort, with peace as the default aim and strict ethical constraints governing conduct in war. It forbids harming civilians, destroying crops or places of worship, and requires humane treatment of prisoners, while urging believers to accept peace when offered. The article argues that modern interpretations should emphasise peace and dialogue to avoid misrepresentation of Islam.",
        "content": "<p>In Islamic teaching, the concept of warfare has strict boundaries and\nplaces greater emphasis on defence and maintaining peace.<\/p>\n<p>Since its beginnings, Islam has been known as a religion of mercy to\nall creation. Its teachings place peace as the principal principle,\nwhile war is positioned as a last resort when safety and freedom of\nreligion are threatened.<\/p>\n<p>War in Islam is defensive in nature.<\/p>\n<p>In Islamic literature, war is known through terms such as qital,\nharb, and ghazwah, referring to armed conflict in different contexts.\nBut in principle, war is only permissible as a form of self-defence, not\naggression.<\/p>\n<p>Several verses of the Qur\u2019an affirm that war is permissible when\nMuslims are attacked, suffer oppression, or need to defend religious\nfreedom. In other words, war is an effort to safeguard security and\nstability.<\/p>\n<p>In the time of Prophet Muhammad, warfare was also linked to\nprotecting the call to religion (dawah) and the safety of the community,\nnot to compel belief upon others.<\/p>\n<p>Strict ethics during conflict<\/p>\n<p>Islam also establishes strict ethics of war, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><p>It is forbidden to kill women<\/p><\/li>\n<li><p>It is forbidden to kill children<\/p><\/li>\n<li><p>It is forbidden to kill the elderly<\/p><\/li>\n<li><p>It is forbidden to kill those not involved in combat (including\ncivilians)<\/p><\/li>\n<li><p>It is forbidden to destroy crops<\/p><\/li>\n<li><p>It is forbidden to kill livestock unnecessarily<\/p><\/li>\n<li><p>It is forbidden to violate a peace agreement.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In Islamic teachings, war must not be conducted carelessly to the\ndetriment of life around it. Combatants are forbidden to cut down trees\nwithout justification, destroy crops, kill animals unnecessarily, or\ndestroy places of worship. This principle emphasises that armed conflict\nmust still safeguard the balance of nature and the life of the\ncommunity.<\/p>\n<p>Islam also emphasises the importance of opening a path to peace. If\nthe opposing side desires peace, Muslims are advised to accept it. This\nis stated in the Qur\u2019an, Surah Al-Anfal verse 61, which commands to\nincline toward peace when the other side desires it as well.<\/p>\n<p>And if they incline toward peace, then incline toward it and rely\nupon Allah; indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, Islam governs the treatment of prisoners of war. They may\nnot be tortured and must be treated humanely. This principle emphasises\nthat even in armed conflict, human dignity must be preserved.<\/p>\n<p>In the context of relations with non-Muslims, Islam differentiates\nseveral categories:<\/p>\n<p>Relevance in the Modern Era<\/p>\n<p>An understanding of the concept of war in Islam is important amid\nwidespread stereotypes about Muslims. Many scholars emphasise that\nIslamic teachings prioritise peace and dialogue over open conflict.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, understanding historical context, ethics, and defence\nprinciples in Islam is deemed crucial so that religious teachings are\nnot misinterpreted or used to justify violence.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/how-islam-regulates-the-conduct-of-warfare-these-are-its-principles-1772895424",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}