Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 313
313 unjustly only because they said ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ those who, if We establish them in the earth, will observe Prayer and pay the Zakat , and enjoin good and forbid evil. If Allah did not repel aggression by means of those who fight against it, there would surely have been demolished cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft commemorated. Allah will surely help those who help Him. Allah is indeed Powerful, Mighty. With Allah rests the final issue of all affairs” (22:40 ⎯ 42). 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). It is repeatedly stressed that the object of any fighting forced upon Muslims should be to put down persecution, “for persecution is worse than killing. ” But during the course of fighting, all customary restrictions and limitations must be observed except when the enemy fails to observe them; in that case Muslims may forgo them also, but only to the extent to which the enemy dispenses with them (2:192). Should the enemy desist from the fighting, the Muslims should do likewise, for “Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful” (2:193). When freedom from