Religious Research

Religious Research

An Analysis of the Logic of Verses of War and Peace in the Quran and the Old Testament

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Fatemealsadat Montazeri 1
Behrooz Afshar 2
Mohammad Ali Yousefi 3
1 PhD graduate, Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University of Ayatollah Amoli, Amol, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University of Babol, Babol, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University of Ayatollah Amoli, Amol, Iran
10.22034/jrr.2024.388551.2099
Abstract
War and peace are fundamental concepts within human society that have long captured the interest of scholars and thinkers. Numerous definitions of these concepts exist, but religious perspectives hold particular significance as they can guide the behavior of believers. This article analyzes the logic behind the verses on war and peace in the Quran and the Old Testament, using theoretical and library-based methods to explore the subject.
The primary objective of this research is to elucidate the rationale behind the verses on war and peace in the Quran and the Bible. Findings suggest that the Ten Commandments in the Bible, particularly the commandment against murder, hold fundamental significance and closely align with Quranic teachings. Additionally, the Quranic verses emphasize the importance of avoiding conflict and maintaining peace.
Further analysis reveals that other parts of the Old Testament present a different perspective on war and peace compared to the Ten Commandments, and this perspective also diverges from the logic found in the Quran.
Overall, it can be said that the war verses in the Old Testament tend to be more violent, absolute, and at times, perceived as immoral, with peace often aligned with the interests of the Jewish people. In contrast, the Quran emphasizes war as a means of defensive preparation and deterrence to prevent enemies from initiating conflict against Muslims, with an overarching priority on maintaining peace.
Keywords
Quran
Old Testament
logic of peace
logic of war
The Quran.
The Bible.
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