The Moral Dimensions of War in the Qur’an
This study aims to examine the moral dimensions of war in the Qurʾān within the framework of the sīrah–revelation (nuzūl) relationship. Although war has been a persistent phenomenon throughout human history, its moral boundaries and criteria of legitimacy have remained a subject of debate in every era. Contemporary wars and the targeting of civilians have once again brought the ethical dimension of war to the forefront; in particular, interpretations of Qurʾānic verses on war that are detached from their historical and revelatory contexts have led to serious conceptual problems. Taking these issues as its point of departure, this study addresses the Qurʾānic understanding of war in light of the process of revelation and the practices of the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him).
The research is conducted using a qualitative methodology and is based on document analysis. The study first addresses the concept of war by exam- ining its definition, historical development, and the Qurʾānic terms used to denote war, such as ḥarb, qitāl, and jihād. Subsequently, the issue of the morality of war is evaluated from the perspectives of moral philosophy and legal theory in order to establish a conceptual framework. In the sec- ond part, Qurʾānic verses related to war are analyzed with due consideration to their contexts of revelation. Core principles such as legitimacy, the prevention of oppression, self-defense, adherence to treaties, the primacy of peace, and the protection of innocents are discussed. These principles are evaluated together with the Prophet’s practices in warfare, and the approaches of classical and modern Qurʾānic commentaries are examined comparatively.
The findings of the study demonstrate that, in the Qurʾān, war is deemed legitimate only under necessary circumstances, that moral and humanitarian limits are meticulously observed during warfare, and that peace is upheld as the fundamental principle. The study shows that the Qurʾānic conception of war does not endorse arbitrary or unlimited violence; rather, it envisions an ethical framework grounded in justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity.
Keywords: Tafsir; Qur’an; War; Ethics; Sīrat; Nuzūl