Peace is an important aspect of Islam, and Muslims are encouraged to strive for peace and peaceful solutions to all problems. However, the teachings in the Qur'an and Hadith allow for wars to be fought if they can be justified.[8] According to James Turner Johnson, there is no normative tradition of pacifism in Islam.[9]
Prior to the Hijra travel Muhammad struggled non-violently against his opposition in Mecca.[10] It was not until after the exile that the Quranic revelations began to adopt a more offensive perspective.[11] Fighting in self-defense is not only legitimate but considered obligatory upon Muslims, according to the Qur'an. The Qur'an, however, says that should the enemy's hostile behavior cease, then the reason for engaging the enemy also lapses.[12]