The Justifications of War in the Qur’ān

Abstract

A number of Qur’ānic verses address the relationship between the Muslims and their enemies during both the Meccan and Medinan periods discussed in chapter one. In the Meccan period, over one hundred and fourteen verses command Muslims to forgive their persecutors and be patient in the face of the religious oppression and execution of some of their fellows. In the Medinan period, however, certain verses give the Muslims permission to defend themselves in the face of aggression from the Meccans. In several of the Medinan chapters of the Qur’ān, many verses address the Muslims’ struggle with their enemies and some of these verses command the Muslims to fight the enemy.