A comparative study of the nature and objectives of war and peace between the Holy Qur'an and the Old and New Testaments

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of the Holy Quran and the Old and New Testaments in defining the nature of war, its objectives, and the philosophy of peace. The research is divided into three main sections:

The first section discusses war as a moral and religious necessity, focusing on two main points: self-defense and supporting the oppressed, as presented in the texts of the Old and New Testaments and the Quran.

The second section examines the objectives of war, such as achieving justice, confronting injustice, and advocating for religious freedom.

The third section presents the philosophy of peace in both sources, emphasizing peace as a fundamental principle in divine law, its role in international relations, and its impact on the family and society.

The study reveals common ground between the two schools of thought in some basic principles, such as self-defense and supporting the oppressed, while highlighting differences in their applications and theological and historical frameworks, particularly in the Old Testament. First: Research Question: What are the points of agreement and disagreement in the nature and objectives of war and peace between the Holy Quran and the Old and New Testaments, in terms of concept, purpose, and application?

Second: Research Achievements: Highlighting the humanistic and ethical character of the philosophy of war in the Holy Quran; clarifying the historical shifts in the concept of war between the Old and New Testaments; demonstrating the centrality of the concept of peace in divine legislation in the Quran and the New Testament; revealing the shifts in understanding war from a religious to a political dimension; and reinforcing the idea that religion, in its original sources, calls for justice and prohibits aggression.

Third: Research Methodology: The research adopted a comparative analytical approach, whereby the original texts of the Holy Quran and the Old and New Testaments were analyzed and then compared in terms of historical context, ethical content, and social and religious objectives. The descriptive analytical method was also employed to interpret concepts according to their contextual meanings in each source.