Through Force or Faith? — Page 45
Principles to Promote World Peace 45 Here, reference is to the other injunction mentioned at another place that if you must raise the sword to stop disorder, you are permitted. Such people who create disorder and strife, who have raised the sword against you, against them you can declare war as a nation and as a sovereign government. But do not take undue advantage from this allowance. One who is not in confrontation with you, who is not persecuting you, who is not at war with you, who is not bent upon destroying you; in that case, it is an obliga- tion on you that you observe all the dictates of justice and be kind to them and treat them well. This is what is going to endear you to Allah, the Exalted. Whether it is the declaration of war or the pronouncement of disapproval, it is only against those who have nothing else to do in the world than to create discord. Therefore, Allah, the Exalted, does not condone friendship and affectionate relationship with such people. But He also does not permit one to disrupt the peace of those who are living peacefully. It should also be clear here that according to Islamic teach- ings, declaration of war or the expression of any reaction is the prerogative of sovereign governments. If anyone from a small or a large group takes it upon himself, it will create anarchy within his own country and state. Unfortunately that is the very thing that is being displayed by the so called terrorists among Muslims in different countries. They have created chaos in their countries which is defaming Islam and Muslims. There is another commandment of Allah, the Exalted, which is of great importance for international peace and inter-religious relationships. Allah, the Exalted, says: