Islamic Ethics - Conflict and Suffering

'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return'. (Qur'an)

• 'Islam' means 'submission, obedience and peace'
• Muslims accept the will of Allah
• 'Taqwa' = 'God-consciousness'
• Life is meaningful --> determines where afterlife is spent
• Jannah or Jahannam
• All actions judged on Day of Judgement by Allah

'I have forbidden injustice for myself and also forbidden it for you. So avoid being unjust to one another.' Hadith

Justice is a duty, injustice is against the will of Allah

• Humans have responsibility to bring justice to Earth
• Prophets and laws help people understand how to acheive justice
• Following Shari'ah Law = fair + just societies 
• Laws determine halal and haram

'Allah doth call to the Home of Peace' Qur'an     'Islam' means peace

• Allah is the creator and entrusted mankind to live correctly on Earth
• Guidance through Qur'an and Hadith
• People have free will and choose to submit to the will of Allah
• Submitting = Bringing desires, attitude and behaviour into harmony with Allah's will

'Salaam Alaykum' (greeting) meaning 'Peace be upon you'  <- constant reminder of ideal of peace 

(Peace = no oppression, injustice or tryanny + absence of intimidation, conflict and violence)

Peace is necessary for indiv.s to grow spiritually and morally

Reconciliation --> Ending dispute + forming friendly relations

• Accept wrong doings + prepare to change
• Those victimised prepared to forgive 
• Reconciliation = peace and harmony

'Hate your enemy mildly, for one day he may become your friend.' Hadith

Jihad means 'to strive or struggle' --> the idea of striving in the path of Allah

• Greater Jihad = Muslims struggle to improve themselves + societies in which they live 
• Resist temptation and selfish desires and do good for others --> foundations of Muslim's lives
• 5 Pillars of Islam bring Muslims and Allah closer
• Shahadah + Salah remind them to put God's will first
• Zakah reminds them that what they have is because Allah wills it + they must care for others
• In Sawm, they empathise with poor and discipline of fasting = can overcome temptation
• Hajj - for 10 days them humble themselves to God's will

Other ways to engage in G J:

• Learn Qur'an by heart -> shows patience + perseverance + Allah's revelation will never be lost
• Contribute to community i.e. social service, running the madrassah or volunteering

Lesser Jihad means 'holy war'

• Armed combat against non-Muslim aggressors + only form of war that Islam permits

'Allah loves those who fight for His cause.' Qur'an

Reasons for Military Jihad:

• Self-defence
• Strengthening Islam
• Protecting the freedom of Muslims to practise their faith
• Protecting Muslims against oppression, which could include overthrowing a tyrannical ruler
• Punishing an enemy who breaks an oath/ peace agreement
• Putting right a wrong/ correcting an injustice

Conduct/ guidelines during war:

• Can only begin when enemy attacks 
• Fought to bring good 
• Innocent civilians must not be harmed
• Crops, animals and property must not be destroyed/damaged

Disarmament = 'to give up arms'

• Arms needed against human selfishness and injustice and sometimes for self-defence
• Only acheived in atmosphere of reconciliation
• Disarmament = bil.s spent on weaponry can be used for worthwhile causes i.e. abolish poverty

'For Allah loves those who are fair and just' Qur'an

Pacifism is a moral priniciple not a religious belief

• Lesser jihad is a duty for Muslims
• Islam sees the ideals of pacifism as just, but believes that sometimes it is necessary to fight

'Do not take life which Allah has made sacred.' Qur'an

Terrorist groups are made up of individuals with extreme and militant views

• Use terror tactics to publicise their cause
• Al Qaeda claim to be fighting a holy war
• However, many Muslims believe they breach the rules of LJ  as war is only justified in self defence
• Civilians + property harmed and taking life is strictly forbidden (against Allah's will)
• Resulted in misinterpretation of Islam -> Terrorists have done more damage to Islam than good

Nuclear Proliferation - The increase in nuclear weapons in countries

• Since WW2, there is understanding that the destructive force of nuc. weapons is so great that they can never be used
• However, nuc. proliferation still happens...deterrence?
• No direct references to nuc. warfare in Muslim sacred writings but lots can be applied:

- Muslims strive for peace + believe life is sacred

- Their destructive effects are not in keeping with the principles of lesser jihad