Islam and Human Rights — Page 89
Article 4 89 strong force against Medina to compel his surrender. It was in this contingency that the Muslims were accorded Divine permission to take up arms in defence of freedom of conscience. “Permission to fight is granted to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged-and Allah indeed has power to help them-those who have been driven out of their homes unjustly only because they said ‘Our Lord is Allah’. If Allah did not repel some men by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down cloi sters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft commemorated, Allah will surely help him who helps Him. Allah is indeed Powerful, Mighty. This permission has been granted to those who, if We estab lish them in the earth, will observe Prayer and pay the Zakat and enjoin equity and forbid evil. With Allah rests the final issue of all affairs” (22:40-42). Thus fighting is permissible only to repel or halt aggression; but even in the course of such fighting, Muslims are not permitted to adopt unduly aggressive measures. “Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress. Surely, Allah loves not the transgressors” (2:191). “Persecution is worse than killing” (2:192), for it seeks to destroy the