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"Whenever
two people meet, they exchange greetings,
wishing each other peace: "Peace
be upon you."
But peace cannot prevail except through
justice. Since the concept of justice may
differ from one man to another, or from one
society to another, Muslims believe that real
justice is that which is specified by Allah
(God).
Islam
permits fighting in self-defense, in defense
of the religion, or by those who have been
expelled forcibly from their homes. At the
same time, Islam requires one to treat one's
enemy mercifully. It lays down strict rules of
combat which include prohibitions against
harming civilians and against destroying
crops, trees, and livestock. Islam also
requires that if an enemy declares his desire
to end hostilities and seek peace, the Muslims
must do the same.
The
concept of Jihad ("Holy War" or
struggling in the cause of Allah) is stated in
the Qur'an. Allah said:
"Fight in
the cause of God those who fight you, but do
not transgress limits. God does not love
transgressors." [2:19]
Jihad
is never to be waged to force anybody to
choose a particular religion. On the contrary,
it is to waged to protect his right to choose
freely. Therefore,ifthere is a force in the
world that tries to prevent a person from
practicing this right, Jihad may lead to
fighting the force that is trying to prevent
him from exercising free will.
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