Being a practical religion, Islam does not rule out the use of force altogether. It is impossible and impractical for a community, nation, or any entity to survive without having a “force” that secures its integrity and defends its interests. However, Islam regulates this application of force and sets ethics and laws that prevent it from turning into a tool of destruction and terror. In more than one verse, Allah Almighty announces that He does not like those who practice oppression and aggression, and those who seek to spread destruction and mischief (Ash-Shura 42:40; Al-Qasas 28:77; Al-Ma’idah 5:64). In another verse, He criticizes vehemently such people, threatening them with Hellfire:

In time of war, when force is most likely to be misused, Islam does not accept or tolerate any sort of aggression or excess. The very verse that commands Muslims to fight in the cause of Allah is ended with the warning against committing aggression or transgressing the limits:

In one battle, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to know that a woman from the enemy had been killed. The Prophet was angry, saying that she had not participated in action. He sent a messenger to his leader, Khalid ibn Al-Walid, telling him not to kill women and children. Part of the ethics of war in Islam is that innocent civilians should not be exposed to any harm.

Furthermore, when speaking of retaliation, which is in itself a just principle, the Qur’an stipulates that it should be done without any excess, and even recommends forgiving and forbearance:

Thus force, as Islam perceives it, should be employed in a constructive way. It is used to fend off aggression, to defend the land and rights, and to enforce law. Any misuse of force—be it invading other nations and plundering their resources, terrorizing and killing innocent civilians, or even forcing a certain religion upon people—is totally unacceptable: