Du'a Al-Nur and Wird Al-Tirmidhi - TAQWA - SG - Tariqatu-L Arusiyyatu-L Qadiriyyah Worldwide Association (Singapore) - Shari'A - Tariqa - Ma'Rifa - and Haqiqa
Fighting ethically The teachings of Abu Bakr, the first Caliph of Islam and close companion of Prophet Muhammad, clarify the ethics of armed strug- gle. He taught his companions the following ethics: Do not commit treachery or deviate fromthe right path: This teaching calls believers not to abandon the Muslim army during conflict, to fight in battle with a God-conscious mind, and to avoid becoming the oppressor in the fighting against oppression. Do not mutilate dead bodies: This teaching seeks to end oppression and bring freedom, not to dishonor those who have died and those who are alive. Do not kill women, children, or aged men: Scholars also include non-combatant men in this teaching. Do not harm fruit-bearing trees: Jihad seeks to end oppression. As such, Muslims must protect the environment and food stocks so that inhabitants of the land do not suffer hunger or disease. Do not steal the enemys food: Stealing is prohibited as an unethical act, and war does not legitimize stealing. Protect rabbis, priests, and monks: Muslims must protect religious people and institu- tions because Qital seeks to establish the freedom of worship. Scholars of Islamic law have identified other war ethics from the practice of Prophet Muhammad and early generations of pious Muslim leaders: Do not wage wars of hostilities: Muslims cant start wars unless they have justifica- tion of self-defense, stopping of oppression, or freedom of religion. Only a state leader can declare war: Islamic scholars agree that offensive armed struggle cant take place unless the leader of an Islamic state officially declares war. Surprise attacks and unofficial wars are completely forbidden. However, defensive armed struggle to resist oppression and tyranny is generally permitted even without a legitimate state leader. Invite enemies to Islam: Before any hostil- ity takes place, the Islamic state must invite its enemies to Islam. If they accept, then all hostilities must end, and former enemies become brothers in faith. According to sev- eral Islamic jurists, the state must also issue this invitation throughout the war in an effort to end hostilities. Struggle only for good purposes: Qital may only occur to serve the public good. Any other type of war, such as one fought to acquire resources, is completely forbidden. Resources can only be acquired through trade that is by mutual goodwill that ben- efits public good of both the seller and the buyer. Killing and destruction for resources is not an ethical act, even if it may benefit some in the short term (4:2930). Do not wage war to seize land or expand territory: Muslims are allowed to fight for just reasons, but simply conquering land with- out establishing justice is impermissible. Do not poison wells or food stocks: Many contemporary scholars of Islamic law believe that this rule also forbids the use of modern warfare with chemical and biolog- ical weapons. 25 555812 Ch18.qxd 5/3/04 8:50 AM Page 277
Du'a Al-Nur and Wird Al-Tirmidhi - TAQWA - SG - Tariqatu-L Arusiyyatu-L Qadiriyyah Worldwide Association (Singapore) - Shari'A - Tariqa - Ma'Rifa - and Haqiqa