First, a war can be announced only by a state. No militant group has the prerogative to proclaim and wage a war. This point will be dealt with in later paragraphs in detail.
Second, honoring an international agreement is most important. No war can be announced in violation of a treaty with another state, even if the other state is brutal towards its Muslim subjects. The Muslim state is prohibited to accord armed help to the tormented Muslims of another state with whom there is a peace treaty.
The Holy Quran says:
“If they (the Muslims out side your state) seek your help in the cause of your religion, it is your duty to aid them, except against a state you have a treaty with” (
Al-Anfal-8: 72)
Third, a war should only be fought when the Muslim state has got sufficient resources to defeat the enemy.
The Holy Quran says:
“Against your enemy, make ready your strength to the utmost of your power” (
Al-Anfal-8:60)
The Holy Quran further says:
“God has lightened your task, because He knows that there is weakness in you. If there are one hundred patient and persevering among you, they will vanquish two hundred, and if there are one thousand among you, they will vanquish two thousand, with the order of God: for God is with those who patiently persevere”. (
Al-Anfal-8:66)
It means that a Muslim state must have at least half the resources of the enemy, before announcing and waging a war.
Fourth, if the enemy offers to enter in a peace accord, then it is a must to make a treaty with him.
The Holy Quran says:
“If they incline to peace, make peace with them, and put your trust in Allah. He is the Hearing, the Knowing. If they seek to deceive you, then Allah is All-sufficient for you”. (
Al-Anfal-8: 61,62).
The Holy Quran further says:
“(the peace treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom you have entered in to accords, and who have not subsequently failed in there pledge, nor aided anyone against you. So fulfill your agreements with them to the end of their term”. (
Al-Tawbah-9:4)
“As long as the idolaters, with whom you have made treaties near the Sacred Mosque, keep the treaty, you should also honor the treaty with them”. (
Al-Tawabah-9:7)
Fifth, it is prohibited to harm or kill non-combatants.
The Holy Quran says:
“Fight in the cause of Allah, only those who fight you. Do not transgress the limits because God does not love the transgressors.” (
Al-Baqara-2:190)
The Holy Quran further says:
“(Do not fight those) who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from either fighting you or fighting their people….. Therefore if they withdraw from the fight and instead offer for peace, then God has opened no way for you to war against them.” (
Al-nisa-4:90)
“Allah does not forbid you to be kind and equitable to those who have neither made war on your religion nor driven you from your homes. Allah loves the equitable. But He forbids you to make friends with those who have fought against you on account of your religion and driven you from your homes or abetted others to do so”. (
Al-Mumtahinah-60:8,9)
Sixth, it is prohibited to wage a war in specific four months i.e. Rajab, Zee Qaad, Zil Haj and Muharram. The Holy Quran says:
“They ask you concerning fighting in the Prohibited months. Say: Fighting there in is a grave offence.” (
Al-Baqara-2: a part of verse 217)
Seventh, if there is a transgression from the enemy in the use of force, the Muslim state can also reply in the same coin. The Holy Quran says:
“There is a law of equality. If anyone transgresses the prohibition against you, your can transgress likewise against your enemy.” (
Al-Baqara-2:194)
Today, all the Muslim countries have entered into a peace agreement with all nations of the world through U.N.O. From Islamic point of view, it is now obligatory that they don’t have to make aggression against any other country of the world. Now the world’s conscience has reached a stage where they deem it their duty to help the oppressed ones. Same is the message of the Quran. Still there is room for improvement in the attitude of the world. If the whole world adopts the Islamic concept of War, all oppression in the world will be abolished naturally because War, in Islam, means nothing else but answer to aggression and oppression.
Qital, Jihad And Terrorism - Javed Ahmad Ghamidi