4.1/4.2 Muslims attitudes towards peace/ Muslims and peacemaking Flashcards
1
Q
What is the Muslim interpretation of peace?
A
the absence of oppression, tyranny, injustice and corruption.
it’s directly linked to justice
2
Q
What are Muslim teachings about peace? (6)
A
- Allah created the world with the intention that peace would be part of his creation
- Muslims believe in the personal struggle for peace or the greater jihad
- All Muslims belong to the ummah, which demonstrates ideas of living together peacefully
- standing up for justice in the world is one way of achieving peace
- in some cases, it may be necessary to go to war to secure peace
- Quran teaches that Muslims should strive for peace
3
Q
What is an example of peace being shown in Islam
A
Muslims greet each other with : peace be with you
4
Q
How do Muslims work for peace?
A
- following duties such as the five pillars
- fasting during Ramadan to understand the suffering of the poor
- giving sadaqah which is a voluntary charity
- supporting campaigns and organisations that work for peace in the world
5
Q
Why does conflict cause problems within society?
A
- negative effect on community relations, with groups not willing to negotiate
- little agreement or compromise
- leads to disunity and distrust where groups of people with different beliefs or backgrounds cannot get along in society
- can lead to poor treatment and discrimination
6
Q
Muslims response to conflict
A
- they adopt a situation ethics standpoint, i.e defending Islam
- believe that hey should wor for peace as Allah intended, trying to live together as an ummah
- sometimes allow for conflict. E.g. battle of Mutah where followers of Muhammad lost their lives to defend their beliefs and values
7
Q
What is the history of Pacifism in Islam?
A
- Hijah = Muhammad was persecuted and forced to leave Makkah, forced to use violence
- Some argue that initially Muhammad adopted more pacifist tendencies and tried to ignore the violence used against him
- Muhammad fought in the battle of Badr to protect Muslims and the idea of jihad has been used to justify fighting since
- After this Quranic revelations seemed to adopt a more defensive perspective
- Arab spring 2011, a democratic uprising that contained elements of protests using passive resistance
- Today violence is not completely rejected by Islam, but ideas of peace are promoted more strongly
8
Q
what are some Muslim teachings about Passive resistance?
A
- Islam teachings in the Qur’an and Hadith strive for justice and to resist oppression
- Muslims should always work for peace = don’t be the first to attack
- Islam means “submission to Allah”, should work for peace in cooperative and peaceful ways and coexist peacefully with other people
- Muslims believe it is important to resist zulm ( cruelty and injustice)
9
Q
What does Just war theory suggest?
A
- protecting innocent lives or important moral values may require force
- wrong to take a human life
- countries may read to protect their people and war may be necessary to do this
10
Q
What is the importance Just war theory?
A
- provides a set of rules as to best way to act at times of conflcit
- aims to prevent war
- offers a framework to decide whether war is the best option
11
Q
Conditions for Just war? (8)
A
- does not aim to win new land or power
- not to convert to Islam
- declared by the religious leader, not political leader
- will not threaten or endanger innocent civilians
- will not harm trees, crops and animals
- support of Muslim community and not declared by one individual
- out of defence not attack
- last resort and all peaceful methods of solving the conflict have already been tried
12
Q
Is Just war possible?
A
Yes:
- depending on situation ethics, it might be reasonable
- Quran suggest fighting to defend Islam is acceptable
- weapons could be programmed to damage set targets rather than affects innocent lives
No:
- Being involved in a conflict without threatening human life or damaging the environment would be difficult
- WMD causes mass destruction
13
Q
What is the nature of Holy war?
A
- to defend Islam
- protecting the freedom of Muslims to practice their faith
- strengthening the religion of Islam if it is being threatened
- protecting Muslims against an attack
14
Q
What wars were Muhammad apart of?
holy war
A
battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud and conquest of Makkah
15
Q
What are the conditions of holy war? (12)
A
- last resort
- opponent must have started the fighting
- be launched by a religious leaders
- can’t be fought for territory
- innocent people should not be targeted or killed
- property should not be targeted or damaged
- enemies should be treated still with just
- war should stop as soon as the enemy asks for peace
- must be fought to bring about the end goal of good
- women should not be abused or raped
- chemical or biological warefare is forbidden
- wounded enemy soldiers should be cared for and treated in the same way as one’s own soldiers
