How do other Muslims interpret Surah 5:27–30?

Many Muslims read the story as condemning murder, not self-defence. Qabil's killing of his brother brought him only regret and loss (Surah 5:30).

How does the Makkan period of Muhammad's life relate to pacifism?

Muhammad and his followers endured about thirteen years of persecution in Makkah without fighting back. Many Muslims see this period as a model of patient, non-violent resistance.

Who was Abdul Ghaffar Khan?

Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a Pashtun Muslim who led a non-violent movement against British rule in India. Khan's followers, the Khudai Khidmatgar ('Servants of God'), swore never to use violence.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Islam: Peace and Conflict

Muslim responses to pacifism

3 things to know
Paper 2

Overview

Why most Muslims are not pacifists, Surah 5:27 to 30 read two ways, the Makkan period, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, passive resistance, the Arab Spring and Tahrir Square, and Tawakkol Karman.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What is pacifism, and why are most Muslims not pacifists?

Key term

What does Surah 5:27–28 teach?

Key term

How do some Muslims interpret Surah 5:28 as supporting pacifism?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is pacifism, and why are most Muslims not pacifists?
Model answer
Pacifism is the belief that all violence and war are wrong. Most Muslims are not pacifists because the Qur'an permits fighting in self-defence.
2
What does Surah 5:27–28 teach?
Model answer
Surah 5:27–28 tells of Adam's two sons, one of whom threatened to kill the other. The threatened son said he would not raise his hand to kill, for he feared Allah.
3
How do some Muslims interpret Surah 5:28 as supporting pacifism?
Model answer
Some Muslims see Habil, the son who refused to fight back, as a model of non-violence. Habil's refusal suggests that trusting Allah is better than killing.
4
How do other Muslims interpret Surah 5:27–30?
Model answer
Many Muslims read the story as condemning murder, not self-defence. Qabil's killing of his brother brought him only regret and loss (Surah 5:30).
5
How does the Makkan period of Muhammad's life relate to pacifism?
Model answer
Muhammad and his followers endured about thirteen years of persecution in Makkah without fighting back. Many Muslims see this period as a model of patient, non-violent resistance.
6
Who was Abdul Ghaffar Khan?
Model answer
Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a Pashtun Muslim who led a non-violent movement against British rule in India. Khan's followers, the Khudai Khidmatgar ('Servants of God'), swore never to use violence.

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