Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, stated that the laws of war established by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, were inspired by the Quranic verse “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”

This was said during Egypt’s celebration of the Prophet’s birthday held on Wednesday at the Al-Manara International Conference Center, attended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

He added that wars throughout history have been arenas of violence, aggression, and mutual killing between warring parties, where cruelty, deceit, lies, and misinformation are often praised, and merciful treatment is not glorified.

He pointed out that it was expected that war in Islam would follow this pattern, and if it had, Muslims would not have been blamed or reproached. However, the final and eternal Sharia laid down strict rules never before known in human history.

He highlighted that legislative rulings derived from the Quran and Sunnah govern the jurisprudence of jihad, rules and laws of war, what is obligatory, prohibited, and permissible, as well as rulings on peace treaties, reconciliation, prisoners, treaties, guarantees, and all matters related to international relations between Muslims and others, in peace and war.

He noted that all these rulings were preceded by a jurisprudence that emerged early in Islamic history, known as the jurisprudence of the sira (biographies).

He explained that killing in Islam is exclusively for repelling aggression, and the default relationship between Muslims and others is peace, until aggression or injustice occurs, making war unavoidable.

He pointed out that Muslim jurists unanimously agreed on the prohibition of excess in killing and destruction, and that fighting must be confined to repelling aggression without extending to extermination or false domination.

He emphasized that all these are crimes and evils in fighting the enemy, clarifying that the purpose of fighting the enemy must be for the sake of God, i.e., His law and judgment in resisting aggression, injustice, arrogance, and supremacy.

The event was attended by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister; Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Minister of Endowments; Dr. Nazir Muhammad Ayad, Grand Mufti of Egypt; along with the heads of the House of Representatives and the Senate, several ministers, and senior state officials.

The celebration program also included the recitation of a poem titled “1500 Years Since the Birth of Our Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him,” and the audience listened to two songs titled “Muhammad, O Messenger of God” and “Muhammad Our Prophet.”