What does Islam say about war?
Islam is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of one's faith, or on the
part of those whose basic rights have been violated. It lays down strict
rules of combat that include prohibitions against harming civilians and
against destroying crops, trees, and livestock. As Muslims see it, injustice
would be triumphant in the world if good people were not prepared to fight
for a righteous cause.
God says in the Qur'an: "Permission (to defend) has been granted to those
who are being fought against; that they have been oppressed. Verily, God has
the power to help them. Those who were unjustly expelled from their homes
for no other reason than their saying: 'God is our Lord.' If God were not to
repel some human beings through others, monasteries, churches, synagogues,
and mosques, wherein the name of God is mentioned, would have certainly been
destroyed. God will definably help those who will help Him. Verily, God is
Immensely Strong, Mighty." (Qur'an 22:39-40)
War is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down
by the sacred law. The often misunderstood and overused term jihad literally
means "struggle" and not "holy war" (a term not found anywhere in the
Qur'an). Jihad, as Islamic concept, can be on a personal level - inner
struggle against evil within oneself; struggle for decency and goodness on
the social level; and struggle on the battlefield, if and when necessary.
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Useful links
Understanding Islam
http://www.muslimheritage.com/Default.aspx
http://www.studying-islam.org/index.aspx
How to Become a Muslim
http://islam.iinet.net.au/channel/how_to_become_a_muslim.html