THE CONCEPT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WARFARE IN ISLAM, THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK, AND WESTERN THOUGHT: A COMPARATIVE DOCTRINAL STUDY

Abstract

Prof. Saad Ali Al-Shahrani*

Abstract This research examines the concept of wars and their characteristics in Islam, the People of the Book, and Western thought from a doctrinal comparative perspective. The study highlights that the concept of war varies according to religious and ideological references. In Islam, jihad is seen as a means to achieve justice and spread peace, governed by strict legal regulations that prohibit aggression and injustice. In contrast, wars in other religions and Western thought have often been associated with expansion and domination. The research explores the concept of war in Judaism through Torah texts, which depict it as sacred extermination wars. Meanwhile, Christian thought exhibits a contradiction between advocating peace and engaging in Crusades and colonial expansion. Modern Western thought has evolved to adopt concepts such as "pre-emptive war" and "creative chaos," which justify military interventions for political and economic reasons. The study emphasizes that jihad in Islam is not merely about fighting; rather, it is a comprehensive system aimed at protecting rights and eliminating injustice. This stands in contrast to Western-led wars, which are driven by self-interest without regard for ethical values. Additionally, the research highlights the contradiction between Western slogans like democracy and human rights and the actual practices characterized by aggression and imperialism.