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Pacifism and Just War Theory

Is it ever right to fight? Muslims range from pacifists who oppose all violence to those who accept a just war under strict conditions. Weigh up both views, and a non-religious one too.

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What you'll cover

Is it ever right to fight? 🕊️

Is it ever right to go to war? Muslims hold a range of views. Some are **pacifists**, opposing all violence. Others accept a **just war**, but only if strict conditions are met. This module explores both views, and how Islam and others weigh them up.

Words to know 🔑

Four ideas run through this topic:

What is pacifism? 🎯

What does a pacifist believe?

  • Violence is always wrong and disputes should be settled peacefully
  • War should be fought whenever possible
  • Fighting is good for gaining land
  • Conflict should always be ignored

Two views on war ⚖️

Muslims and others weigh up war in different ways.

Just war rules 🔗

  • A just cause
  • Proper authority
  • A last resort
  • Right intention
  • There must be a genuinely good reason, such as self-defence
  • A war must be declared by a proper leader, not one person
  • Fighting only after all peaceful options have failed
  • The aim must be to restore peace, not revenge or gain

Pacifism in Islam 🤲

Some Muslims are pacifists. In Surah 5, when one of the two sons of Adam is threatened by his brother, he says he will not raise his hand in return, because he fears Allah. Pacifists read this as support for non-violence, and some point to peaceful protest, such as parts of the Arab Spring, as a way to seek change without war.

When is war just? ✅

Which THREE are conditions for a just war?

  • There is a just cause, such as self-defence
  • It is a last resort
  • The response is proportionate, not excessive
  • It is fought to gain land and wealth
  • A leader may start it at any time

Whose view? 🔀

  • A pacifist
  • A just-war supporter
  • The lesser jihad
  • A non-religious view
  • Opposes all violence and uses peaceful resistance
  • Accepts war only if strict conditions are met
  • An outward struggle in defence, kept within strict limits
  • Judges each war by its causes and its harm, not by religion

Is this war just? 🪜

An interactive activity.

Complete the idea 🧩

A _____ believes that violence is always wrong and that disputes should be settled peacefully. Others accept a just war, but only if strict _____ are met, such as fighting as a _____ resort. Islam allows the lesser jihad, an outward struggle in _____ kept within strict limits. Because people disagree about whether a truly just war is possible today, views _____.

pacifist conditions last defence differ soldier rewards first attack agree

True or not? 🖍️

An interactive activity.

Last resort? 🤝

What does it mean that a just war must be a last resort?

  • It is fought only after all peaceful options have failed
  • It should be the first response to any dispute
  • It should be started as quickly as possible
  • It can never be fought under any circumstances

Just or not? 🧭

An interactive activity.

War and peace ✍️

An interactive activity.