The Quranic Concept of War

The Holy Quran is a source of eternal guidance for mankind. Its Treasures are available to all those who genuinely seek them. As Man proceeds to probe into it, the Book begins to reveal itself unto him. The science and logic of this sublime divine document simply prevails upon his mind. Each new discovery reinforces his Faith, adds to his knowledge, broadens his spiritual horizon and gives him Light and Guidance to regulate his affairs. The Book makes repeated appeals to mankind to use intellect and reason in its understanding and interpretation. It calls upon us to make the fullest use of all our senses in the search of knowledge and truth. It lays emphasis upon the importance of human observation, investigation, inquiry and research. Indeed, the Holy Quran invites mankind to study it; to deliberate upon its laws and principles; to observe and investigate the Signs of Allah given in it; and to reflect upon its theory and philosophy. Our human failings and shortcomings need not deter us from conducting a research into the Holy Quran. Man, by his very nature, is mortal and fallible; and the Book, undoubtedly sublime and perfect, has, after all, been recealed for human mortals like us. Given honesty of purpose, a research conducted along the lines suggested by the Holy Quran is, in fact, the safest, the surest, the most absorbing, rewarding, revealing, and profitable research of all. The Guidance given in the Book is based on solid divine foundations and has the brightest prospects and potential of producing results. As a complete Code of Life, the Holy Quran gives us a philosophy of war as well. This divine philosophy is an integral part of the total Quranic Ideology. It is a philosophy that is controlled and conditioned by the Word of God from its conception till conclusion. No other military thought known to Man possesses this supreme characteristic; from it, flow its numerous other attributes. It is complete, perfect, comprehensive, balanced, practical and effective….. This book is a modest attempt at introducing the subject to the reader. Research into the Holy Quran is not one-man's job. It is the collective and continuous responsibility of the entire Muslim Ummah. It takes a life-time of research to extract a "drop" out of this Never-ending Reservoir of Knowledge and Wisdom; and it is only by pooling such "drops" that we can derive the maximum benefit from it.