The objective of peace was never lost sight of. The Prophet of Islam not only agreed for truce on equal terms but even if any humiliating condition was imposed, as was the case in the truce of Hudabiya, he readily accepted it. “….and who, whenever tyranny afflicts them, defend themselves. But [remember that any attempt at] requiting evil may, too, become an evil:” cautions the Quran in 42:39,40 “hence whoever pardons [his foe] and makes peace, his reward rests with God – for He does not love evildoers.” I.e.,those who give in to the temptation of indulging in under acts of revenge against their former oppressors.
In addition, for strict adherence to humanitarian behaviour and never giving in to excess, Islam established code of conduct in warfare. For the first time, distinction between noncombatants and combatants was clearly established: “fight in God’s cause against those who wage war against you,” the Quran says, “but do not commit aggression – for, indeed, God does not like aggressors” (2:190). This, as well as verse 2:194 cited last week, absolutely banned killing of noncombatants under all circumstances; killing or in any way hurting of women, children, the elderly, the sick, as well as monks, rabbis and diplomats was strictly forbidden, as was demolishing of churches, synagogues, cloisters and mosques and destruction of the dwellers of unresisting inhabitants and means of their subsistence; prohibited was any kind of sexual violence and the mutilation of the dead and torture of prisoners of wars; ( the Prophet had even instructed to feed and to clothe prisoners of war as the captors ate and clothed themselves) --- regulations that were all eventually included into the modern international laws of war.
Quite clearly, the widespread misconception that Islam places to the un-believers the alternatives of “conversion or the sword” is absolutely erroneous. Quran disposes it further by the verdict that “There shall be no coercion in matters of faith” (Q.2:256). Forcible conversion is under all circumstances null and void. “Do you think you can compel people to believe” says the Quran (10:99). Further, man who is made fully aware of the consequence, is left free to use his God-given reason as well as freedom of moral choice: “The truth [has now come] from your Lord”, Quran says in 18:29: “let, then, him who wills, believe in it and let him who wills, reject it”. Believers are even asked to say to those who do not believe: “Unto you your religion, and unto me, mine” (109:6).
Go through the entire Qur'an and you will understand that in Quranic terms Jihad stands for 'Peaceful Ideological Struggle'. The few verses giving permission to war in defense apply only when condition of war already exists.
In addition, Islam gives permission to declare war for defense only to the State and not to any individual or organization.
