Human beings are supposed to live in peace with each other. They share life and work together for a mutual welfare. However, sometimes, transgression happens from one side against another. A group of people, a nation or a country decided to attack another for one cause or another. Sometimes it is a legitimate cause and other times it is not. A war starts between the two parties and each has to defend his land, entity and existence. When agreements fail and negotiations are to no avail, hence comes the time for war.

But does anyone wake up with a decision of war taken overnight? Or is there legitimate causes for war? A fair cause for a military conflict between two entities is when all diplomatic and reason fail. Power is then used to dictate new terms, restore order or stop transgression. Some causes are fair and others are complete infringement on international laws and human rights. Some wars are inevitable when it is to defend your own land and existence. When a nation is oppressed for decades it only hopes for freedom and it cannot be executed without a military action in many cases.

A military action is in effect eventually. Weapons and heavy artillery substitutes the word of reason and diplomatic means. An army faces another. Since the dawn of civilization, people fought for survival. Strategies are schemed to organize maneuvers. In Islam, war is the last choice. Priority is given first to talks and negotiations.  Wars are not a result of vicious lust for violence or supremacy. It should be waged against evil not innocent people. 

As a Muslim, I have learned at school from the very early years of my education that in times of war we have restrictions and laws that we should abide to. At social studies classes as well as religion classes the rules of war were part of our curriculum not because we are a war loving nation but because our Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him taught us to be humane in every single aspect of our lives including wartime. He advised his army to evade it first as much as they can. If it is inevitable, specific rules are set. It is not a barbarous unmeasured action but rather a regulated move. Orders were given to all militants to only fight counter militants not civilians. Don’t kill the elderly, women or children even if they were part of the attack. Disarm them but do not kill. Even young men who are not part of the transgressors are to be left safe and sound. Don’t kill priests or monks in their monasteries. Leave them in their peaceful retreat. Respect the dead bodies. Do not disfigure or tamper with them. No decapitation or torture for the injured. 

The Muslim army should not burn a tree, demolish a house, kill an animal or destroy a source of water. Elements of life are to be respected. War captives are to be treated with utmost humanity and given due care of food and cure if needed. Prisoners of war are not to be tortured. There are major ethics that regulate Muslims even when they are fighting. The euphoria of victory should never blind them against humanity.

We all abhor wars as they cause misery, destruction, loss of loved ones and loss of properties and stability. Wars eradicate years and years of civilization and culture. Families are torn apart. People are badly injured, killed or crippled for life. Wars are the worst nightmare for any human being. In a blink of an eye, one can lose everything and turn from a good citizen to an asylum seeker or refugee. 

Disagreement, conflict, infringement upon laws or sovereignty will not cease between humans. However, it is fair and noble to designate international code of ethics in such times of turmoil and chaos. We cannot eradicate war from the dictionaries of humanity but we can definitely do to brutality, mercilessness and savagery. If you are forced to fight, do it as a human being not as an animal!