WAR STRATEGIES OF HOLY PROPHET

(PBUH)
Unlike the self-centered rulers and kings all over
the world who embark on wars for expansionist
purpose, for the exploitation of human powers, and
for the plunder of other people’s wealth and natural
resources,
the prophet of Islam refused to resort to the
sword and fighting unless it was necessary and
unavoidable.
Instead, he advanced carrying the torch of the Holy
book and the divine laws and would get involved in
war only to remove the stumbling blocks- the thorns
in the way of salvation, to hinder oppression and
tyranny, and to hoist the flag of justice and truth.
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 Prophet Muhammad is history’s first major
figure to condemn collateral damage in word
and deed.
 His advanced rules of war established 1400
years ago a yet unmatched humanitarian
standard and herein lies the solution to
modern conflict.
 HOLY QURAN AND WAGING OF WAR
 The Holy Quran first describes when fighting is
permitted:
‘Permission to fight is given to those against whom
war is made, because they have been wronged…
Those who have been driven out from their homes
unjustly only because they said,’ our Lord is Allah...
And if Allah did not repel some men by means of
others, there would surely have been pulled down
temples and churches and synagogues and
mosques’ (22:40, 41)
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• While critics and extremist groups both love to
cite Quranic excerpts like ‘kill them where ye
find them’, they ignore that such verse clearly
refer to treatment of those who would
violently persecute Christians, Jews or any
person because of his faith.
UNCOMPROMISING RULES OF WAR IN ISLAM

Indeed, Muhammad (PBUH) commanded the following

uncompromising rules of War:
Do not commit treachery,
or deviate from the right path.
You must not mutilate dead bodies.
 Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man.
Bring no harm to the trees,
nor burn them with fire, especially which are fruitful.
Slay not any of the enemy’s flock, save for your food.
You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to
monastic services: leave them alone.
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Thus, Muhammad’s rules of war permit defensive fighting against
active combatants while forbidding harms to anyone or anything
else…human, animal, or property.
Even ardent critics of Islam such as Sir William Muir admit that
Muslims treated POWs (prisoners of war) with immense dignity.
Captives were well fed and ransoms were according to their means.
Indigent captives, meanwhile, were allotted ten boys to be taught
the art of writing as a ransom.
A ransom of education, a great example to be followed.
 History demonstrates that Muhammad’s rules of war when applied
with justice lead to peace. If applied today, Muhammad’s rules can
end not only collateral damage, but war itself.