*Does the Struggle for Rights have to Choose the Path of War Itself?*
War is not an Islamic theme. It is not an essential of Islamic culture. The theme of Islam is peace. Its culture is the protection and restoration of the rights of human beings irrespective of caste, religion, or creed. Much of what is meant by propagating and establishing Islamic culture is the establishment of human rights and democracy.
An example of war references in the Qur’an is the Qur’anic references to slavery. Slavery is a bitter reality that could not be ended if Islam alone decides unilaterally. Islam responded most humanely and morally to that historical reality; and ultimately put forward many ways to end slavery.
Similarly, war is a part of the history of that time. War continues to determine and redefine socio-political structures. If Islam’s position was that we are not for war, we are only for peace, then Islam would have nothing to do with the nation or politics. Islam is not just an advisory movement in history. It did more than just interpreting the history; it has also tried to shift the system to a democratic one.
It is a later allegation that ‘Islam is a religion spread by the sword’. No enemy would have made this accusation during Prophet’s time. This is because the accusation that Islam is a sword-wielding religion, or that Islam is at war, has only one meaning in that context, that Islam is a religion that interferes in politics.
Everyone involved in politics were speaking the language of the sword in that century. Moreover, the official language and the dominant language of politics was the language of sword. When the imperialist powers used the sword to deny the rights of the people, Islam took up the sword to restore the rights. While others used the weapon to impose religion, Islam used it to make religious freedom available to all.
When the opponent applied it on the innocent, Islam applied it only on the guilty. Islam took war most humanely and liberatingly at a time when war was determining history. It was not Islam’s intention to create a state of war; just like retaining slavery was not a plan of Islam.
*Covenants and Treaty Instead of War:*
The covenants and the treaty were the forms of international relations that existed in place of war even at that historic stage. The theme of the Holy Qur’an is a mutual agreement and peaceful treaties instead of war. From the beginning, Islam sought to neutralize all war situations through treaties.
However, Islam has often been a party to wars because agreements are not possible unilaterally. Islam has not violated a single agreement during Prophet’s time. If the treaties were weakened, it all happened from the sides of the enemies.
Almighty God says, “And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, [O believers], and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allah, over you, a witness. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.” (Quran 16:91)
It is obligatory to keep the agreements between nations, tribes, and religions (Quran 9:4). “If they come to peace, come to it. And put your trust in God. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (Quran 8:61)
In summary, the basis of the international relations of Islamic State/Country is covenants and the treaties, not war. Islam is always ready to speak the language of agreement, no matter what hostile enemy comes forward. But if the enemy speaks only the language of war, the Islamic State will not surrender to them by saying that ‘we are non-violent’.
For those who would like to know more about Islam:
