The Rules of "War in Islam"

"War in Islam"

In Islam, intentionally waging war against innocent people is absolutely NOT permitted and strictly prohibited. Islam upholds the sanctity of human life, and the rules of war in Islam are very strict regarding the protection of non-combatants.

Even in situations of war, Islam and the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W (peace be upon him) prohibit excessive violence, such as killing women, children, the elderly, destroying places of worship, or destroying the environment. Islam is very tense. Even in times of war, civilians may not be killed. War in Islam is only permitted in self-defense or against injustice, not for aggression, oppression, or the killing of innocent people.

In the Quran, war isn't a recommended or desirable action, but rather a last resort (emergency) permitted only under certain conditions, such as self-preservation or countering thought. War is only permitted against those who fight Muslims, not for aggression or colonialism.

These are some of the wars fought by the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, namely :

✅ War of Badr (624 CE)

This war took place in the Badr Valley, an open area between Mecca and Medina. The location was chosen outside of residential areas to focus the battle on the Quraysh infidel forces without involving the civilians in the city.

✅ War of the Trench (Al-Khandaq) ( War of Ahzab - 627 CE)

The strategy of digging a trench (Khandaq) around the city of Medina was a defensive tactic. This was done to keep the enemy outside the city and protect the Medinans within.

✅ War of Fathul Makkah (630 CE)

During the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W (peace be upon him) emphasized not to initiate attacks, not to cause damage, and to ensure the safety of anyone entering Abu Sufyan's house, his own house, or the Grand Mosque.

✅ War of Dhatur Riqa' (626 CE)

This war took place in the Nejd region, where the Prophet's strategy was to approach the enemy by surprise in the interior, thus avoiding involving the inhabitants of cities or villages.

✅ War of Mu'tah (629 AD)

This war took place in the border region (Mu'tah) far from civilian settlements, where the Islamic forces faced the Byzantine military directly.

Islam establishes strict ethical rules of war, where only enemy troops bearing arms are targeted, not women, children, the elderly, or other civilians.

During the Conquest of Mecca (Fathu Makkah), despite the Quraysh's years of oppression by the Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad granted a mass pardon and spared civilian blood. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) never targeted civilians in war. Furthermore, he established standards of humanitarian law that predate modern law, guaranteeing the safety of non-combatants.

The rules of Islamic warfare include :

✅ No indiscriminate attacks (the target must be clearly identified as a combatant).

✅ Prohibition of environmental damage. No cutting down of fruit-bearing trees, burning of crops, or killing of livestock unnecessarily.

✅ Protection of places of worship. Destruction of places of worship is prohibited, even in times of war.

Even in war, Islam has its own rules. Which is explained in the Words of Allah S.W.T in the Qur'an (QS. Al-Baqarah : 190-193, 205, 216, 217), (QS. Al-Hajj : 39-40), (QS. Al-Anfal : 39 and 67), (QS. Muhammad : 4), (QS. Al-Hujurat : 9), (QS. At-Taubah : 5 and 36), (QS. Al-Qashash : 77), (QS. Ali 'Imran : 121), (QS. An-Nisa : 92-94). 

Islam permits war only as a last resort for justice, truth, and survival. Directly targeting civilians is a violation of Islamic law (Haram/Criminal Act).