War is not a desirable act in Islam. In Islam, war is not a rule, it is an exceptional incident. The Prophet of Islam used to advise, “O people, do not desire to meet the enemy, but rather ask God for peace. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 3024, Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1742)

The equivalent Arabic word for war is ‘qital.’ The Quran says: 'And fight—do war against—them until there is no more fitnah.' (The Quran, 8:39) In this verse, fitnah means religious persecution. The obvious and literal meaning of this verse proves that according to the Quran, qital is a temporary command. It was a directive only until religious persecution remained and as soon as it was put to an end, the command or directive itself was nullified. That is if it is eliminated then the command for war is also eliminated.

The Prophet and his companions accomplished this command of God and at a limited level, religious persecution was exterminated. All the verses related to qital that appear in the Quran are in relation to the accomplishment of this mandate. In the present age with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights guaranteeing religious freedom to all, the validity of qital is now defunct. In the ancient past, considering the then prevailing conditions, permission was given for defensive war. This permission was in accordance with the law of necessity. But now, in the changed conditions of today, this necessity no longer exists. And that is why there is now no need at all for war.

Most Islamic actions are governed by certain conditions. The waging of war is also thus subject to certain principles, one being that, even when a defensive war has been declared by the State, it will be aimed only at the combatants. Targeting non-combatants will be unlawful. The Quran enjoins us not to do battle with those who are not at war. Such people have to be dealt with kindly and equitably. But you are free to do battle with those who are fighting against you. (60:8-9)