Muslim Ethics Of War

The Glorious Qur'an, the Hadith (Traditions) of the prophet (pbuh)and his exemplary manner demonstrate that peace is a fundamental principle for Muslim relations with other nations.Fighting is only re-sorted to as a last option when peace can not be achieved by any other means where Fitna or sedition is rife, because strife is a greater crime than murder, therefore war is an exception to the principles of Islam and fighting is not pursued for the purpose of correction into the Religion but only for God's sake in order to establish His law in the world. Accusations that Islam was spread at the point of the sword are false-hood and are clearly denied in the following verse of the Qur'an:-
"There is no compulsion in Religion. Truth has become clear from error, therefore whoever disbelieves in Satan and believes in God has taken a firm support that never gives way. And God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing" (Surah 2 verse 256)
By Dr. Ahmed Zedan