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Salaam Linda,
Thank you for your question.
First, I am not sure how you use the word “violence”…
If by violence you mean terrorist actions, the answer is a resounding NO!
And… YES it is a sacred obligation to defend Islam with your life, but not only to die for it, but initially to live for it!
The question is to any human being: How far would “you” be prepared to defend what you believe in?
The last few centuries witnessed many wars; the American war of Independence, the Crimean War, the Boer War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Bosnia, Iran/Iraq, Gulf War etc. Were they fought by people who didn’t believe in a cause - at all?
In a “war”, wouldn’t one expect to be killed? How would you justify Madeline Albright’s comment that 500,000 dead Iraqi children is an acceptable level of “collateral damage”!?
Now, let me try to shed light on the Islamic perspective.
We read in Surah 2, verses 190 – 193 of the Qur’an: *{Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight you, but do not go beyond the limits. Allah does not love those who practice aggression.
The aggressors against you should be killed wherever you come across them and expel them from where they expelled you.
Fitna (persecution and oppression) is worse than killing. Do not fight them in the Masjid al-Haram until they fight you there. But if they do fight you, then kill them. That is how the disbelievers should be repaid.
But if they cease, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Fight them until there is no more fitna and the deen (religion) belongs to Allah alone. If they cease, there should be no enmity towards any but wrongdoers.}*
This was the first verse concerning fighting, which was revealed in Madinah. Ever since it was revealed, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to fight only those who fought him, and he avoided non-combatants. It was pure self-defense after enduring oppression for years. This passage should be compared with Surah 9, verse 36: *{… and fight against the Mushrikun (polytheists) collectively as they fight against you collectively}*
This is why Allah (swt) said: *{And kill them wherever you come across them, and expel them from where they expelled you.}*
Meaning: Your energy should be spent on fighting them, just as their energy is spent on fighting you, and on expelling them from the areas from which they have expelled you, as a law of equality in punishment or justice. So, it is a fight to regain your right, not violate the others’ rights.
Allah said: *{… but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors.}*
This means: Fight for the sake of Allah and do not be transgressors such as, by committing prohibitions.
These prohibitions include:
- Mutilating the dead
- Theft [from captured goods]
- Killing women, children and elderly people who do not participate in warfare
- Killing priests and residents of houses of worship near the battlefields
- Burning [or chopping] down trees
- Killing animals for no real benefit
Buraydah narrated that Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“Fight for the sake of Allah and fight those who disbelieve in Allah. Fight, but do not steal [from the captured goods], and do not commit treachery, nor mutilate [the dead], or kill a child, or those who reside in [Jewish and Christian] houses of worship.” (Narrated in the compiled hadiths of the prophet by Imam Muslim.)
Allah encouraged His believing servants to guard justice, support the oppressed, defend themselves and to perform jihad in His cause. Muslims were guided to strive hard to save the oppressed believers Muslims in Makkah: men, women and children who were restless, because of having to remain there after the prophet and some companions emigrated to Yathreb (Madinah).
This is why Allah said in Surah 4, verse 74: *{What is preventing you from fighting in the way of Allah for those men, women and children who are oppressed and say, Our Lord, take us out of this town whose inhabitants are wrong doers! Send us a protector! Send us a helper from your side!}*
To conclude, Islam is a religion of justice… and perhaps this is how the current conflict in the world should be considered, on the basis of justice. It is this writer’s firm belief that if the injustice in an area is addressed, the problem will be resolved. Long lasting peace and reconciliation can only be achieved through just settlement of conflicts… from their roots! War will not solve any problem by itself. It is sometimes necessary only to set the terms for any subsequent discussions.
Allah knows best.
You may also find interest in the following: Not a “Holy” War… My Prayer, Life and Death… for Allah
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