God Does Not Like Transgressors
In any society, proportional to its culture, history and beliefs, there are different groups of people who have different behaviors and conducts. Sometimes there are disputes and conflicts between some groups. Judging about who is right or wrong or who instigated the conflicts is a complicated issue but regarding how should one act and behave when there is a conflict, the Quran is unequivocal in emphasizing the need for not to transgress. “Fight for the cause of God, those who fight you, but do not transgress, for God does not love the transgressors.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 190)
This is the first verse of the Quran revealed about battles with the enemies of Islam. From then on, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) fought with those who waged war on Muslims but not with others, until verse 5 of Surah At-Tawbah was reveled: “… then slay the idolaters wherever you find them,” which gave the permission for fighting all of the Mushrikeen (pagans).
Quran interpreters have mentioned certain points about verse 190 of Surah Al-Baqarah. It has ordered fighting those who wage war on Muslims: “Fight for the cause of God, those who fight you.” The phrase “for the cause of God” sheds light on the main purpose of Islamic battles. It reveals that war in Islam’s logic is never for seeking revenge or ambitions or expansionism or getting trophies but it is for the cause of God. This goal affects all aspects of war including what weapons can be used, how enemy soldiers and those captured should be treated, etc.
The Quran then calls for being fair even in the battlefront and not transgressing: “do not transgress, for God does not love the transgressors.”
When the war is for the cause of God and on the path of God, there must be no transgression and aggression. That is why in Islamic wars, unlike the war fought in different parts of the world today, there has been a lot of emphasis on observing moral and ethical principles. For example, if some enemy troops lay down their arms or there are some who can no longer fight or could not in the first place, such as the wounded, old men, women and children, they should not be attacked. Gardens and crops should not be destroyed and drinking water reservoirs should not be poisoned.
Hojat-ol-Islam Mohsen Qara’ati in his Noor Exegesis of the Quran, point out some of the messages of this verse:
1- Defending and countering aggression is a human right. If someone waged a war against us, we will fight them. “… those who fight you”
2- In Islam, the objective of fighting is not capturing land or colonization or seeking revenge, but defending the truth or eliminating corrupt groups and freeing thoughts and saving people from superstitions and delusions. “For the cause of God”
3- Justice and fairness should be observed even in the battlefield. “Do not transgress”. The Quran has times and again warned against transgression.
4- Injustice and oppression and standing against the religion of God must be avoided. “God does not love the transgressors”
5- Only being present in the battlefield is not enough to get closer to God but it also required being fair in the battlefield and observe others’ rights. “Do not transgress, for God does not love the transgressors”
6- In war, the objective should only be the cause of God not desires, prejudices, hypocrisy, etc. “Fight for the cause of God”
7- Even in defending oneself and one’s natural rights, one should always have God in mind. Although they started the war against you and you should defend, it is necessary that the defense must be for the sake of God. “Fight for the cause of God”
