A Critique of Professor Arnold G. Toynbee’s Understanding — Page 57
57 so few lives are incomparable. The Holy Prophet forbade the execution of wars for the purpose of looting and plunder. He prohibited indiscriminate death, and destruction and useless building and maintaining of armies. He only fought wars for permitted purp oses. Even then, he did not permit the destruction and desecration of human dignity. In the matter of fighting, Allah, the Exalted, directed the Holy Prophet and thereby all the sons of Islam as follows: “And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress. Surely Allah loves not the transgressors. ” ( Holy Quran 2:191 ). Again Allah, the Exalted, commands: “And fight them until there is no persecution, and religion is professed only for God. But if they desist, then remember that no hostility is allowed except against the wrongdoers. ” ( Holy Quran 2:194 ) In the light of these Quranic injunctions, the conduct of the Holy Prophet, and his guidelines are clear proof of the fact that the objective of his wars was not the establishment and strengthening of sovereignty. It was not to satisfy his hunger for greater empires. It was to establish freedom of conscience, peace and to eliminate disorder and discord. Under the most severe conditions, it was his instruction that his commanders display generosity and kind treatment. In full compliance with these instructions of the Holy