The just war: an Islamic perspective

It was my privilege recently to have been invited to the annual lecture series organised by the Catholic Chaplain to Higher Education in Bath, Father Bill O.S.M.

This year the principal guest was Field Marshal Lord Gutherie of Craigiebank GCB LVO OBE DL

The title of his lecture was ‘the Just War: The morals and ethics to consider before going to war.

The title of the lecture was interesting enough for me to ensure that I was there to listen to a man who had been at the helm of the British army, and led them in times of both war and peace.

I was impressed by both his modesty and his candid opinions.

Lord Guthrie detailed the changing definitions of war from time immemorial to the present, and how it is now used in attempts to eradicate poverty, terrorism and drug abuse etc.

Lord Guthrie also made references to the concept of war from a religious perspective, in particular Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and to some extent from a rational humanist perspective.

When Lord Guthrie started talking about the concept of war in Islam I felt a little apprehensive about what might be expressed, in the light of how Islam has been maligned and its teachings were badly represented both by Muslims and non-Muslims since the incident of 9/11, and all the wars and violent conflicts that have been, and are still ferociously raging throughout the Muslim lands, particularly those that continue to be described as Islamist led conflicts.

First of all, Lord Guthrie explained to the audience that the ethics and rules of war are laid down in the Quran itself. At this point, I wondered what he might quote from the Quran. Would it be the usual misrepresentations continually spouted by many bigots and the opponents of Islam? Or would his offerings be fair and honest?

His first statement was that ‘war is evil in Islam’, and surely it is. The Quran says: ‘indeed whoever killed a soul, unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he killed the whole mankind. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of whole mankind’. S5 V32

No matter what one is, a Muslim or a non-Muslim, whoever kills or initiates a war, the burden of the sin, in the sight of God and for accountability purpose, will be on the shoulders of those who killed (or caused others to kill) an innocent soul (whoever that soul might be). This verse defines the parameters of ethics and necessity of a war.

Lord Guthrie, then, defined ‘Jihad’ and its meaning, to the visual relief of many in the audience. The word ‘Jihad’ is invariably misused to describe a war, even though that is not in God’s Path. Indeed, many in the West understand it as meaning ‘a holy war against infidels’.

But what is a ‘war in God’s Path’, and why should there be a war in the Path of God anyway? God demands that we all live in peaceful co-existence, not indulge in violent conflicts or be continually on a war footing.

To understand this, we need to understand this Verse from the Quran, which initiates permission for fighting back in war and or to be ready to defend oneself.

The Quran says: ‘To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight) because they are wronged and verily Allah is Most Powerful to their aid. They are those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of their right, for no cause except that they say: our Lord is Allah’. If Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, Synagogues, and mosques in which the names of Allah is most commemorated in abundant measure’. S22 V39-40

It further says: ‘and fight in the Path of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits, for Allah does not love transgressors’. S2 V190

I think perhaps these verses were in the mind of Lord Guthrie when he further said: ‘Islam does not forbid war but regulates it’.

If war is seen as an unavoidable evil then it has to be constrained by ethical parameters and strict rules of accountability.

Violence and bloody conflicts in many Muslim countries have inevitably been regarded as linked to Muslim beliefs, but this has never been true. Wars happen, even to Muslims, but if Muslims do not hold fast to the ethical rules of Islamic conduct of war, can never be justified under the religious law. None of the many wars this world has experienced in its history has ever been perfectly ethical, including the most modern ones.

Like many in the audience, Lord Guthrie appeared to have doubts about the reasons expressed by some for entering into these conflicts.

I enjoyed his thoughts on the subject and it was refreshing to learn there still remains a desire for a proper understanding and discussion, even at the top. However, would it not be more appropriate if meetings such as this took place before entering into any war, and that those in power listened and learned from the ethics and principles presented before they acted?