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Religious Studies

Islam: attitudes towards fighting and warfare

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Most religions offer teaching on war and conflict. And over time religion has been at the heart of conflict between nations.

Islam – war and peace

Muslim attitudes to war and peace are based on the teachings of the Qur’an (the Divine Book revealed to the Prophet Muhammad). There are two ideas in Muslim teaching that relate to war – Jihad (to struggle in the way of Allah) and Harb al-Muqadis (Holy War).

Islam is a religion of peace in which fighting and war are seen only as a last resorts:

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you.

Surah 49:13

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