Peace and the Limits of War
By: Louay Safi
This book provides a systematic analysis of the Qur’anic reference and the prophetic traditions on peace and war. He critically examines the views of classical and modern Islamic scholars in light of the original intent of the Shar’ah. While his views on this subject were articulated as early as 1988, his analysis continues to provide a balanced understanding of the most misunderstood concepts of Islam.
Peace and the concept of jihad are issues of vital importance. Firmly on the agenda of worldwide political debate and discourse they frame much of the parameters of analysis on Islam and the Middle East today. This work is an important addition to this analysis. Through careful and meticulous study into an area fraught with cultural misconceptions and near total confusion the author has sought to elucidate some of the subjective and negative fundamentals which have come to dominate much of the discourse on this issue today and restore a balanced understanding.