Revision for Peace and Conflict in Islam – section 4

Lesson 1 - peace
Essential information
Peace is one of the meanings of Islam. The Qur’an, Sunnah and Hadith teach Muslims how peace is achieved.
Muslims believe their main purpose in life is to live peacefully and to spread peace.
Peace – peace is being in harmony with oneself and others. It is the opposite of war. ‘The servant of the Lord of
Mercy are those who walk humbly on the earth, and who, when aggressive people address them, reply with words
of peace.’ [Surah 25] From this teaching Muslims learn that Allah is merciful and Muslims should be humble and
peaceful, even if they are treated badly.
How peace is understood in the life of a Muslim:
 One of Allah’s characteristics is as a ‘Source of Peace.’
 The aim of Islam is to create a harmonious society, on local and a global level
 Remembering Allah is an important way of achieving peace
 The Prophet Muhammad was the best example of how to live a peaceful life
 The Prophet Muhammad said that one of the best acts is to greet everyone with peace, and Muslims say ‘Al-
salamu ‘alaykum’ [peace be upon you] whenever they meet each other
Task – read the first part of the student response to this question. Then write a second part so it earns full marks.
b) Explain two reasons why peace is important in the life of a Muslim. [4]
Firstly, peace is important in the life of a Muslim because the aim of Islam is to create a peaceful society, on a
personal and a global scale. This is seen through, for example, the greeting of ‘al-salamu ‘alaykum’ [peace be upon
you], which a Muslim uses whenever they meet another Muslim.
Secondly, _______________________________________________________________________________________
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d) ‘Peace is the most important goal for Muslims.’ Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
In your reasons you should:
 Refer to Muslim teaching
 Refer to different Muslim teachings
 Reach a justified conclusion [12]
Arguments for Arguments against

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Source of wisdom

Justified conclusion

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Lesson 2 – Peacemaking
Essential information
Muslims are taught to lead the way in peacemaking and build a better society. Justice, forgiveness and reconciliation
help to make peace between people. There are many Muslim groups that work for peace.
Muslim teachings about peacemaking
Peacemaking is at the heart of Islam. All humans have been created by Allah, and should be treated with respect:
‘repel evil with what is better and your enemy will become as close as an old and valued friend.’ [Surah 41]
Justice, forgiveness and reconciliation in peacemaking
Peacemaking in Islam can be seen in the following three ways:
Justice: doing what is right and fair Forgiveness: pardoning a person Reconciliation: restoring harmony
according to the law for a wrong they have done after relationships have broken
down
Muslims are taught to: Muslims are taught to: Muslims are taught to:
Resolve disagreements fairly Be forgiving Peacefully invite others to Islam
Seek common ground with
followers of other faiths and beliefs
Maintain positive relationships with
non-Muslims
Muslims working for peace
The teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad inspire Muslims to work for a more peaceful world.
Muslim Peace Fellowship [MPF] is one Muslim organisation that is committed to this aim. They:
 Work against injustice and for peace at home, within communities and nations, and globally
 Show commitment to peace on behalf of all Muslims
 Reach out to people of other religious traditions to further mutual understanding and respect
 Organise conferences and publications

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Task:
a) Outline three Muslim beliefs about peacemaking. [3]
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d) ‘Muslims should do more to work for peace.’ Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In
your response you should;
 Refer to Muslim teachings
 Reach a justified conclusion [12]
Arguments for Arguments against

Source of wisdom

Justified conclusion

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Lesson 3 – Conflict
Essential information
Conflicts are caused by many different factors. Muslims believe conflict should be resolved peacefully, but the
Qur’an allows fighting under very strict conditions. Many non-religious people argue that religion is to blame for a lot
of conflict, but Muslims say most conflicts occur due to bad human choices.
4 x Ds – Destruction; Division; Distrust; Death
The causes and problems of conflict
A conflict is a serious disagreement that may lead to disunity and war. Large-scale conflicts are caused by a wide
range of factors, including:
 Politics and ideology [when there is a disagreement over how a country should be run]
 Nationalism and ethnicity [when one ethnic group or culture believes it is better than another]
 Religion [when followers of one religion defend themselves against or clash with people with different
religious beliefs]
 Economics [wanting resources belonging to another country, such as oil]
Muslim responses to conflict
Muslims aim to avoid conflict and to resolve it peacefully if it does arise. However, if all efforts to reach peace have
failed, then war is permissible under very strict conditions:
‘Fight in God’s cause against those who fight against you, but do not overstep the limits […] Fight until there is no
persecution and worship is devoted to God.’ [Surah 2]
Situation Ethics
Situation ethics might consider that using force to resolve a conflict was acceptable if it served the best interests of
everyone concerned and stopped even greater damage. They would, however, oppose the use of nuclear, biological
and chemical weapons.
Non-religious attitudes about religion as a cause of conflict and Muslim responses – add another response in each
box
Non-religious, including Humanist and atheist attitudes
 While war for political reasons might be justified, war for religious reasons and wars that are called ‘holy’
can never be justified
 If a loving and all-powerful God exists, why would he want people to fight and even kill others? Such a
God can’t be worthy of worship and isn’t worth believing in


Muslim responses
 The Prophet Muhammad only fought in self-defence and for the sake of peace, when people’s religious
freedoms were taken away
 Most wars have had nothing to do with religious beliefs, or have been based on misguided interpretations
of religious teachings
 Religion cannot be blamed for wars that started because people used their free will to make choices


Task:
a) Outline three causes of conflict. [3]
One cause of conflict is________________________________________________________
Another cause of conflict is ____________________________________________________
A final cause of conflict is ______________________________________________________
d) ‘All conflict is caused by religion.’ Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your
response you should:
 Refer to Muslim teachings
 Refer to non-religious views
 Reach a justified conclusion [12]

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Arguments for Arguments against

Source of wisdom

Justified conclusion

Lesson 4 – Pacifism
Essential information
Pacifists do not believe in war. Muslims have different views about pacifism. The Arab Spring is an example of
passive resistance within Islam.
Types of pacifism
Pacifism is the belief that war and violence are wrong and that disagreements should be settled peacefully. There
are four types of pacifism:

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Absolute pacifism Violence and war are always wrong, even in self-defence
Conditional pacifism War is wrong, but fighting might be necessary as a last resort
Selective pacifism Wars should not involve nuclear, chemical or biological weapons
Active pacifism Pacifists should take part in passive resistance, which in non-violent political action
aiming to bring about social change

Islam and pacifism

The first known example of pacifism comes from the time of the Prophet Adam, when Adam’s son Habil [Abel] did
not stop his brother Qabil [Cain] from killing him: ‘If you raise your hand to kill me, I will not raise mine to kill you.’
[Surah 5] Some Muslims say this verse supports pacifism in particular situations. Most Muslims say that taking
another life is acceptable if it is for a just cause.
Islam and passive resistance
 Obedience to authority is an important Islamic principle. The order of authority in Islam is:
 1. Allah
 2. The Prophet Muhammad
 3. Others in authority
 As long as the government is just and allows Muslims to practise their religion freely, the government should
be obeyed.
 Passive resistance is allowed if the government denies Muslims certain rights, such as freedom to worship
 Prophet Muhammad and his followers experienced persecution and remained committed to non-violence
for many years, until the very life of Islam was in danger and the Muslims had no option but to fight
The Arab Spring
In December 2010, a wave of civilian protests started against corruption and dictatorship in some North African and
Middle Eastern countries. Many protests led to riots, and violent clashes with the authorities, while others remained
peaceful. The peaceful protests are examples of Muslims taking part in passive resistance.
Task:
Complete the b answer
b) Explain two Muslim beliefs about pacifism. [4]
Most Muslims believe that pacifism in not practical and that violence is sometimes necessary. This is when their lives
are under threat and they have been denied religious freedom, like in the time of the prophet Muhammad when
Muslims had to fight as a last resort.
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d) ‘You cannot be Muslim and pacifist.’

Arguments for Arguments against

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Source of wisdom

Justified conclusion

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Lesson 5 – Just War theory
Essential information
The Just War theory is a set of conditions that need to be met in order for a war to be justified. Many of the Just War
theory criteria are similar to the principles for lesser jihad. Muslims have divergent views about whether a just war is
possible today.
The conditions for a just war
Just cause The reasons for fighting must uphold justice
Comparative justice There should be a better future for those affected by injustice after the war
Legitimate authority Permission to go to war must be given by a recognised leader or head of state
Right intention The purpose of the war should be to re-establish peace and uphold human rights
Probability of success There should be a good chance of winning the war
Last resort All efforts to avoid fighting should be tried before the decision to go to war is made
Proportionality The amount of force used should be proportionate to the problem

For a war to be just all of these conditions need to be met. It is also important that:
 No innocent people are killed
 Any prisoners taken are treated fairly

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Situation ethics
Situation ethics is the idea that moral decisions [decisions about right and wrong] should be based on what is the
most loving thing to do in the specific circumstances.
Situation ethicists would ask, is war in the best interests of everyone concerned? If war is unavoidable, enemies
should still be loved and no nuclear, chemical or biological weapons should be used.

Just War in Islam

‘Why should you not fight in God’s cause and for those oppressed men, women and children who cry out, “Lord,
rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors!”?’ [Surah 4]
Muslims are divided as to whether a just war is possible in Islam today.

Just War

Most Muslims believe a just war is possible, if it is fought:

 In self-defence
 If authorised by a leader
 If the aim is to restore peace
Others argue a just war is not possible because there are disagreements
over who the legitimate leader is

Legitimate leaders are:

Legitimate leaders are:
Prophets
Prophets
The 12 Imams
khalifahs

Many Muslims believe the conditions for lesser

jihad no longer apply because we now have
international laws and organisations that support
Task justice
Complete the b question
b) Explain two conditions that must be met for a just war. This means that a war is only just if the people affected
by injustices will have a better future following the war. For example, their human rights will be restored.
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d) ‘War is often the lesser of two evils.’ Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your
response you should:
 Refer to Muslim teachings
 Refer to different Muslim points of view
 Refer to relevant ethical arguments [arguments about the rights and wrongs e.g. killing innocent people]
 Reach a justified conclusion [12]
Arguments for Arguments against

Source of wisdom

Justified conclusion

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Lesson 6 – Holy War
Essential information
In Arabic holy war is called Harb al-Maqadis. Holy war is allowed if particular conditions are met. There are different
Muslim attitudes to holy war.
When are Muslims allowed to fight?
War is allowed in Islam if: However, it is not permissible to:
 Persecution [suffering because of your beliefs] × Start a war
becomes intense × Target or harm innocent civilians
 Freedom of belief [e.g. the right to worship] is being × Attack leaders of other faiths
taken away, including for other faiths, whose places of × Use fighting to convert people to Islam
worship must also be protected by Muslims × Kill fellow Muslims
 Muslims are attacked first and need to defend × Ask non-Muslims for help
themselves × Attack at night or by surprise
 It is authorised by a prophet, Khaliah [Sunni], or one × Take captives, until there has been
of the 12 Imams [Shi’a] regular fighting
 It is a last resort

In these circumstances, the conditions for lesser jihad are fulfilled and many Muslims would as a consequence, judge
the war to be a holy war. Some Muslims, however, believe Harb al-Maqadis can be used to spread Islam, which most
Muslims say goes against the rules of lesser jihad.
Divergent Muslim teachings about holy war
‘If they incline towards peace, you [Prophet] must also incline towards it.’ [Surah 8]

‘As for the idolaters who have honoured the treaty you [believers] made with them and who have not supported
anyone against you: fulfil your agreement with them […] But if they break their oath after having made
agreement with you and revile you religion, then fight these leaders of disbelief – oaths mean nothing to them –
so that they may stop.’ [Surah 9]

Some Muslims interpret these verses as giving permission to wage holy wars to spread Islam. Most Muslims disagree
and say these verses who that the Prophet Muhammad wanted peace and fighting was only allowed when Muslims
were being violently persecuted, and also when the disbelievers kept breaking their promises.

Tasks:
a) Outline three conditions in which Muslims believe a holy war is acceptable. [3]
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d) ‘Holy war is always wrong.’ Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you
should:
 Refer to Muslim teachings
 Refer to different Muslim points of view
 Reach a justified conclusion [12]

Arguments for Arguments against

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Source of wisdom

Justified conclusion

Lesson 7 – Weapons
Essential information
Weapons of mass destruction are nuclear, biological and chemical weapons that cause widespread devastation and
loss of life. Many Muslims, atheists and Humanists oppose the use of WMD. Some Muslims and non-religious people
consider the use of WMD to be justified in particular situations.

Weapons of mass destruction have the potential to cause damage on a far greater scale than conventional weapons.
The first nuclear weapons were used during the Second World War, when the USA dropped two atomic bombs on
the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing 200,000 people, mostly civilians. US President Harry S Truman
ordered the bombing because Japan did not surrender when the USA asked it to.

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The problems and benefits of WMD
Problems
The scale of the destruction is immeasurable
Civilian death are inevitable
The long-term health problems associated with WMD
are felt by many generations
Benefits
WMDs are an effective deterrent. Countries are less
likely to go to war if there of them being used
Conflicts can be ended more quickly if WMD are used
The loss of life is minimised for the side that uses them.

Islam and WMD

Some Muslims believe that the Qur’an, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad 14 centuries ago, foretold the
development of WMD and the devastation they would cause. Many Muslims use the following teaching as an
argument against the use of WMD: ‘If anyone kills a person – unless in retribution for murder or spending
corruption in the land – it is as if he kills all mankind.’ [Surah 5]
This teaches Muslims about the value of each human and that taking one innocent life is like taking the life of all
people. As WMD have far-reaching damaging effects on so many lives, as proven by the US bombing of Japan, the
majority of Muslims oppose them.
A minority of Muslims argue that WMD are useful as a deterrent. They believe that countries with WMD will not
launch them because they know that their country will be targeted with WMD if they do.

Non-religious attitudes to WMD and Muslim responses.

Non-religious attitudes to WMD
Many of non-religious people, such as atheists and
Humanists, are cautious about the use of WMD. The
consequences of using WMD are disastrous but they may
be the lesser of two evils. Others oppose them completely.
Many utilitarians would support the use of WMD if they
were used to prevent the deaths of more people than
would die as a result of the bombings
Muslim responses
Muslims would agree that the consequences of
using WMD are disastrous. They would turn to the
Qur’an for guidance on whether or not it is
permissible to use WMD. The majority say that,
based on the principle of sanctity of life, using WMD
is wrong, while a minority support their use as a
deterrent.

Task:
c) Explain two Muslim responses to the problem of WMD. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom
and authority. [5]
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d) ‘The use of WMD can never be justified.’ Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your
response you should:
 Refer to Muslim teachings
 Refer to non-religious points of view
 Refer to relevant ethical arguments [what is morally right and what is morally wrong]
 Reach a justified conclusion [12]

Arguments for Arguments against

Source of wisdom

Justified conclusion

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Lesson 8 – Issues surrounding conflict
Essential information
The actions of groups like IS and media reporting have led many people to believe that Muslims support terrorism.
Many Muslims use the Qur’an, Sunnah, Hadith and Abu Bakr’s 10 rules of war to prove that extremists ignore the
teaching of Islam.

Divergent Muslim teachings and response to conflict.

Militant groups, such as IS, use particular verses about war from the Qur’an and Hadith to justify violence and say
that whoever fights against non-Muslims and dies a martyr will be rewarded by Allah. Non-religious people such as
atheists and Humanists often use the example of such extremists to blame Islam for these acts.
The vast majority of Muslims disagree with this point of view and present many arguments to explain how and why
Islam does not promote terrorism.
 Muslims are only permitted to fight when they have been attacked
 Islam teaches that human life is sacred, unlike terrorists who do not
 Conflicts fought in the name of Islam today are due more to geopolitical and economic reasons than to
religious reasons
 Forced conversion is never allowed in Islam
 The Prophet Muhammad disliked war. He opposed extremists and advised Muslims to stop them, even if
they were fellow Muslims
 Terrorists do not follow the rules of the lesser jihad
 Statistics also show that the majority of terrorist attacks have nothing to do with Islam. For example, 94% of
terrorist attacks carried out in the USA between 1980 and 2005 were by non-Muslims [Department of
Justice]. Between 2009 and 2013 less than 2% of terrorist attacks in Europe were religiously motivated.

Muslims working to overcome issues of conflict

‘IS does not speak for Islam and has been repudiated by all Muslims […] we urge Muslim communities to re-double
their efforts in coming together, condemning the barbarity of IS.’ [The Muslim Council of Britain]

Maliks Muwatta
The first rightly guided Khalifah for Sunni Muslims, Abu Bakr, set out 10 rules for war:
 Do not kill women
 Do not kill children
 Do no kill an aged, infirm person
 Do not cut down fruit bearing trees
 Do not destroy an inhabited place
 Do no slaughter sheep or camels except for food
 Do not burn trees
 Do not scatter bees
 Do not steal from the booty
 Do not be cowardly

Task;
a) Outline three Muslim responses to terrorism [3]
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d) ‘Terrorism has no plan in Islam.’ Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response
you should:
 Refer to Muslim teachings
 Refer to different Muslim points of view
 Refer to non-religious points of view
 Reach a justified conclusion [12]
Arguments for Arguments against

Source of wisdom

Justified conclusion

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