Muslim Community Perception on War

MUSLIM COMMUNITY PERCEPTION ON WAR
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Introduction
The word Islam comes from an Arabic word Salam/Silm, which means peace. Islam religion emphasizes on peace, which is realized via submission to the will of God. The guidelines and principles of peace in Islam are derived from the Quran. The Quran calls for universal peace that is comprised of peace with oneself, other human beings, naturel, and God. The universal peace is associated with important concepts of human life. Such concepts include justice, harmony, salvation, human development, perfection and wholeness. This paper will analyze the commitment of the Muslim religion in the promotion of peace and clarify on the religion’s perception of war.[.Mohammed Abu-Nimer & Kdayifci-Orellana Ayse. Muslim Peace-Building Actors in Africa and the Balkain Contexts: Challenges and Needs. (Peace History Society and Peace and Justice Association, 2008). 560]
Perception of Holy Quran in war
The verses of Quran that sanction fighting are called sword verses. The sword verses are meant to ensure that the Muslim wars are not violent and are the foundation of peace and forgiveness. For instance, al-Nahl verse 125, which is deliberately excluded in Al-Qaeda manual emphasizes the rational exchange of ideas, freedom in making a choice in worship and leaving the role of judging to God. As the Westerners have claimed that Muslims aim at converting the whole world through Jihad, the Holy Quran states that the conversion of an individual to Islam should be at free will.
In case of a Jihad as an Islamic form of warfare, the holy Quran clearly describes how war should be sanctioned. There is a verse that advises Muslims to fight those who fight them in the way of God, but not to transgress since God hates transgressors. It is notable that a majority of the Islamists often uses this verse to justify their acts during the war. However, they deliberately fail to address the issue of transgression which is discussed in the second part of this verse.
The holy Quran also supports self-defense and self-preservation. This can be reflected in the Muhammad war in Medina when the Muslim community faced animosity and hostility from Abu Surfyan the city’s leader. However, it is notable that the holy Quran justifies self-defense in Fitnah, which is an internal conflict rather than a Jihad against unbelievers. This act supports taking initiative to secure a state against its enemy. However, due to various translations of the holy Quran in various languages, many newcomers do not understand the exact concepts of the holy book.[Aksan Virginia. Locating the Ottomans among early modern Empire (McMaster University, 2003), 27]
Suicide and Hostage taking
The Muslim community does not permit suicide and other voluntary or involuntary homicide acts. The Holy Quran forbids suicide since God is the creat...