43. Did the Prophet make any allowance to go to war?

Islam does give permission to do battle. But such permission is given only in the case of an attack by opponents in spite of the policy of avoidance being followed by the Muslims, thus creating a situation where self-defence becomes necessary. According to the teachings of Islam, war is to be waged not against the enemy but against the aggressor. If Muslims hold someone to be their enemy, that does not give them the right to attack him. The only right given to them is to convey the peaceful message of Islam to others. Islam permits defensive fighting against violent aggression, but only when all efforts at avoidance and reconciliation have failed. The Quran states:

Permission to fight is granted to those who are attacked because they have been wronged. (Quran 22:39)

At another place the Quran enjoins the believers thus:

Fight in the cause of God against those who wage war against you but do not commit aggression. God does not love aggressors. (Quran 2:190)

A tradition narrates:

God grants to gentleness what He does not grant to harshness. (Sahih Muslim, hadith no. 2593)

In the Quran God is referred to as:

‘the Source of Peace’. (Quran 59:23)

The practical example of the Prophet Muhammad provides an incontrovertible proof of the value of this policy of avoidance and non-confrontation. He never lifted the sword in aggression or for territorial conquests. Only under extreme circumstances of defence did he allow defensive battles. Additionally, all the battles fought at that time were actually skirmishes and not wars as none of them lasted even for a day.