The argument about Islam being a religion that practices war arose following the September 11 terrorist attack. “The fact is that Muslims today are involved in a serious argument about political ethics; this argument is framed in terms of practices that are central to the Islamic tradition” (Kelsay 4). Many people have been questioning the practices of Islam while the Muslim leaders hold strongly that Islam is a religion of peace.
To understand the argument of just war in Islam, one has to first comprehend the meaning of Islam as a religion practiced by Muslims. According to President George W. Bush, Islam is a religion of peace. On the other hand, Franklin Graham holds that Islam is an evil and wicked religion that is only concerned about the welfare of its followers, while Osama bin Laden holds that Islam is a religion of Allah (Kelsay 8).
This statements show that Islam is a religion with many controversies that are yet to be understood. To understand the notion of just war in Islam, one has to first understand the origin and development of Islam as a religion, as well as comprehend the meaning of the term Islam. It is good to look at the words that make up the term Islam. For instance, Al-Islam means submission.
This signifies that human beings are supposed to submit or acknowledge God as the Supreme Being. On the other hand, Muslim means someone who submits and acknowledges God. Therefore, Islam is a religion in which human beings are supposed to serve God.
Muslims live according to the teaching of Muhammad who is believed to be the first prophet. Just like Christians who follow the teachings and emulate the way of life of Abraham, Muslims emulate Muhammad and he is believed to be the mediator between God and Muslims. He was the first prophet to be involved in fights as a way of fulfilling God’s mission.
The Qur’an reminds Muslims that they have been called by God through grace and have been given a mission to fulfill. This mission is not only carried out through preaching the Qur’an or worshiping, but also through fighting and involving themselves in political activities. Muslims believe that if their survival is threatened, they have to use all means possible to protect and guard themselves from their enemy.
Kelsay notes that, “Fighting is thus justified, in the sense of permitted, in order to resist injustice” (24). War is perceived as a mechanism for self-defense rather than as a wicked or evil way, as many people have believed. He further observes that fighting is a form of agreement between Muhammad and the median tribes.
This suggests that prophet Muhammad clearly understood the permission to fight as this prepares Muslims for the coming campaign. Moreover, “the story of the prophet’s campaign against the meccans is not only military.
Diplomacy plays a part, as the stories depict Muhammad cultivating and solidifying relations with tribes throughout the religion by means of treaties of mutual protection and, in a number of cases marriages” (Kelsay 26).
One of the prophet’s political authorities was to hold campaigns against the Meccans. This includes wars between the Muslims, median allies, and the meccans. Kelsay further notes, “When the move finally took place, representatives of the median tribes took an oath that bound them to Muhammad; they were to support him, respect his orders, and above all, to fight with him against the Meccans” (23).
It actually looks ridiculous to note, “Those who fight under Muhammad’s command are praised as true Muslims who obey God and God’s prophet” (Kelsay 26). Fighting is seen as a sacrifice that attracts some rewards. Those who die in the process are assumed not to be dead since they are killed in God’s way.
They are believed to live with God where they are happy and rejoicing for their victory. In addition, those who are afraid of fighting are encouraged to do so by convincing them that, it is the will of God to fight for the oppressed people and those who are in pain. Fighting is believed to be a call from God and those who refuse to answer this call are seen as hypocrites.
To some extreme, the pursuit for security does not reflect the real meaning of Islam as a religion of peace, which is also associated with submission to God. The real purpose of Islam is to serve God who is the creator of heaven and earth. Muslims have been placed in the world that is filled with worldly things in order to make the name of God be manifested and glorified in the midst of these circumstances.
However, Muslims have forgotten their real mission and are involving themselves in violent activities. Most of them have failed the test, but they will be answerable for every deed during the Day of Judgment. The Qur’an holds that “on that day each and all will stand before God, who will distribute rewards and punishments according to what each has done” (Kelsay 32).
Some people will face the wrath of God because they have not fulfilled their mission. These people have been blinded by the worldly security. Those who have fought in God’s way will receive rewards while those who have been striving for worldly security will be punished.
Works Cited
Kelsay, John. Arguing the Just War in Islam. New York: Harvard University press, 2007.