3. 04 TREATIES OF PEACE

God says

If you have reason to fear treachery* from people (with whom you have made “covenant”), cast it back at them in an equitable manner:** for, verily, God does not love the treacherous! --Q5:58
*The “reason to fear treachery” must not, of course, be based on mere surmise but on clear objective evidence (Tabari, Baghawi, Razi; also Manar x, 58).
** I.e., “renounce the covenant in equitable manner (‘ala sawa)”. Tabari explains this sentence thus: “Before making war on them, inform them that because of the clear evidence of their treachery you have renounced the treaty which existed between you and them, so that both you and they should know that you are at war with them”. Baghawi in his commentary on this verse, gives an almost identical interpretation and adds, “so that they should not be under the false impression that you renounced the treaty after having started the war.” Thus the concluding sentence of this verse – God does not love the treacherous!” – is a warning to the believers as well as their enemies (Manar x, 58 f)

But if they incline to peace, you incline to it as well, and place your trust in God : Verily , He alone is all-hearing and all-knowing! And should they seek but to deceive you [by their show of peace] – Behold, God is enough for you!*.... Q 8:61,62
*The implication is that “even if they offer peace only with a view to deceiving you, this offer of peace must be accepted, since all judgment [of their intentions] must be based on outward evidence alone” (Razi): in other words, mere suspicion cannot be made an excuse for rejecting an offer of peace.


Prophet said

"Whoever has got a treaty between him and (a group of ) people, he must not go against the spirit of the word till its fullest term expires” -- H: Tirmizi and Abu Daud. N: Solaim-b-Amer

“I do neither break a treaty, nor do I make messengers prisoners” — H: Abu Daud. N: Abu Rafe

Peace was the foremost principle taught by the Prophet of Islam. War was undertaken when that became the only way to bring about peace. Even in the midst of war “Whenever there was any offer of peace and cessation of hostility, he at once sheathed his sword along with his followers. – (Al hadis)