Islam & Just War (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note

Islam and the Conditions of a Just War

• A just war is a war which can be considered justified because its aim and the methods used to fight are just

• Just War theory is a set of conditions to help judge what should be considered ‘just’ or fair in the methods and outcomes of war 

• These criteria have been in existence since the thirteenth century, and were adopted by the United Nations (UN) to become part of international law

Conditions for a Just War in Islam

• There are strict rules about only fighting a war that is just in Islam, because the Qur’an teaches

• A war must be fought for a just cause:

  • To defend Islam if it is under attack

  • To stop injustice or protect the oppressed

  • In self-defence, not for aggression

• It must be a last resort

  • All other peaceful solutions must have been tried

• It must have authorised leadership

  • It must be declared by a Muslim religious leader, not a political one

  • It must have the support of the Muslim community, not just one person

• It must have right intentions

  • It is not for gaining land or power

  • It is not to force people to convert to Islam

• It must protect the innocent

  • Civilians, especially children, women, the elderly, and the sick, must not be harmed

• It must avoid environmental damage

  • It must not harm trees, crops, or animals

• It must end when peace is offered

  • Muslims must stop fighting as soon as the enemy seeks peace

• A war must meet all of these conditions to be considered a just war

• If a war does fulfil these conditions, then a Muslim must fight in it because:

  • The Qur’an says that Muslims must fight if they are attacked and this has ultimate authority as the revealed word of God

  • Muhammad (pbuh) fought in wars and Muslims should follow his example

  • There are many Hadith that say Muslims should fight in just wars

  • The Qur’an says that anyone who fights in a Just War will go straight to heaven 

Divergent Muslim Approaches to Just War

• In practice, individual Muslims interpret the guidelines for a just war differently, which can make Just War Theory difficult to apply

• Some Muslims believe that a just war is the ‘lesser jihad’ and so it is acceptable to protect the freedom of the Islamic faith against a threat

  • It is all part of a Muslim’s struggle in the cause of God

• There are disagreements about the ‘legitimate authority’ that could sanction a just war

  • For Sunni Muslims, this would be a prophet or Khalifah

  • For Shi’a Muslims, it would be a prophet or one of the imams

• Many Muslims would reject the conditions for lesser jihad as out-of-date

  • They were relevant at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

  • However, international laws and organisations such as the United Nations exist to protect their rights today

• Many Muslims would say that a just war is never possible in the modern age

  • The criteria are too strict - you can never protect the innocent or avoid damage to the environment

  • Modern weapons are so powerful that it is simply impossible to adhere to these conditions

  • Others would point out that Islam is a religion of peace, therefore setting out conditions for a just war is a contradiction in terms

    • Violence breeds more violence and other methods should be used to achieve peace

Islam and Ethical Theories Surrounding Just War

Situation ethics and just war

• Some Muslims may use ethical theories such as situation ethics to help them determine whether a war is just

• They would look at the individual situation and ask what the most loving action would be

  • Would it be more unjust to fight the war than to allow the injustice to continue?

  • They would then act in a way that would be in most people’s best interests, even if that meant fighting the war

• Many situation ethicists would point out that it would never be justifiable to use excessive force or weapons of mass destruction in any situation

Humanist attitude towards just war

• Some humanists accept the Just War Theory as it is based on reason and moral values

• Other humanists believe that it is impossible to have a just war because all human life is special

  • Even though they do not believe life came from God they still value it and would not support its destruction

  • Instead, they believe non-violent means should be used to try to achieve peace before war is considered