Islam Etiquettes In War

The aim of Islam is to submit to Allah in every way of life. So, Islam guides and teaches us righteousness even in the minute matters of life. When it comes to an important matter like war, rules and etiquettes are laid down in the Quran as well as practiced and displayed by prophet Mohammed(saw) and the pious Caliphs which convey very strong Humanitarian considerations [3].

The very first caliph Abu Bakr (RA) laid a ten principles to his first commander Usamah bin Zayd (RA) to be compulsorily followed during the very first battle after the death of Prophet Mohammad(SAW) [1]. This battle was against the Romans in Syria who lost, and the Muslim army returned with large amount of war spoils and prisoners in turn strengthening the Muslims economically, politically and militarily [1]. The ten principles are as follows:

1. Do not approach embezzlement [1]
2. Do not tell a lie [1].
3. Do not commit a breach of trust [1]
4. Do not kill children, women or aged [1].
5. Do not cut down trees with fruits [1].
6. Slaughter not camels , cows or goats for any purpose except for eating [1].
7. Call to Islam the people you find [1].
8. Pay due respect to anyone you meet [1].
9. Start eating in the name of Allah when the meal is served to you [1].
10. Fight not with those among the Jews and Christians who have taken refuge in their places of worship [1]

And finally, neither add to what the Messenger of Allah (SAW) has ordered you to do nor subtract from it [1].

The amount of destruction, oppression and tyranny brought about in the wars are minimized to a great extent by these principles which clearly define the value of humanity . Their implementation practically in war brought the Muslim army great benefits in this world and the hereafter. 'Fight in the way of Allah and those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed Allah does not like transgressors' Quran(2:190)

As per this verse , the Muslims were permitted to fight those who harmed them or who are a hindrance in the cause of Islam, those who were against the revealed law of Allah .To fight in self-defense, to defend freedom to worship, dignity, honor, lives and property [5].But at the same time the Muslims were also warned not to transgress or turn to immoral ,unethical methods and neither to have material interests in the war [4].This verse stresses to fight only if there is no other option available and prohibits injustice and brutality even in such situations [4].

Embezzlement, lie and breach of trust are the evil consequences of greed , it is against the attribute of honesty and deprives a human ,with these qualities, of the affection and respect from others. Humans with these qualities cannot captivate the hearts of people , thereby losing their chances of winning them to Islam.

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'Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes- from being righteous to them and acting justly toward them . Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.'(Quran 60:8)

Generally, civilians are not targeted during war. Violence and force are not used on those who are not involved in war, rather Islam teaches us to achieve our purpose of inviting them to Islam by being gentle and kind to the women, children and the aged. Noncombatants also include the monks, disabled, infirm who are not to be targeted. Banning of harm to such groups is mainly because they are innocent, unarmed and dependent on others. But once they carry weapons, they lose their civilian status. Additionally, torture, burning, mutilation and any type of unnecessary destruction is forbidden [2].

Again, even the cutting of trees and slaughtering of animals is prohibited in order not to shock or terrorize the civilians. Narrated Abu Burda: That his father said ,' The prophet Muhammad(SAW) sent Muadh and Abu Musa to yemen telling them, 'Treat the people with ease and don’t be hard on them; give them glad tidings and don’t fill them with aversion; and love each other and don’t differ'. ' Sahih al Bukhari 3038, Book 56, Hadith 244.

This command to show leniency and prevent aversion to Islam is achieved by also paying due respect to people, displaying patience, providing help and support. The Muslims are under the obligation to pay for the meals and facilities provided by the opposite party in war [5].

The limits placed on Muslims in the conduct of war 'gives to Jihad, an ideological - cum-ethical dimension that is obviously missing from the pre-Islamic practice of war,' writes Kanina Bennoune in the Michigan Journal of International Law [3]. 'More than a millennium before the codification of the Geneva Conventions, most of the fundamental categories of protection which the conventions offer could be found, in a basic form, in Islamic teachings.'[3]

Today ‘s world witnesses quite a lot of aggression in the form of killings, suicide-bombings, explosions , chemical attacks, Atomic bombings just at the click of the buttons which take innocent lives just at the click of the buttons. Humans’ suffering continues for generations due to some type techniques used in war. The Al Qaeda , ISIS, BOKO haram, Indian Mujahideen, SIMI and such groups portray a very wrong picture of Islam in the name of jihad.” Islam has also fallen victim to misconceptions and stereotypes synonymous to violence, terrorism, and bloodshed in modern times due largely to misrepresentation and misappropriation of its texts and teachings on matters related to war by a few extremist groups. These groups kill and destroy in the name of Islam without recourse to the established rules, etiquettes, and principles that the religion has laid down. They take the verses out of context to suit their political or criminal inclinations to create havoc and insecurity in the populace.” [6]

CONCLUSION

The Obligations and Etiquettes in Islam to be followed by army in war allows peace to prevail and displays the upmost morality of humans to Allah’s creation.

REFERENCES

1. ”The History of Islam” (Volume 1) by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi Published by Darussalam
2. https://www.al-islam.org/islamic-teachings-brief-allamah-sayyid-muhammad-husayn-tabatabai/ethics
3. http://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2014/04/24/islamic-law-and-rules-war
4. https://www.elca.org/JLE/Articles/882
5. https://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=2&verse=189&to=196
6. https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/06/23/warfare_and_war_ethics_an_islamic_perspective_111655.html
7. https://thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2017/6/23/warfare-and-war-ethics-an-islamic-perspective