Therefore, whereas Islam teaches its followers to be merciful and inclined toward forgiveness and peace even in times of war, it never teaches them to turn the other cheek. However good the philosophy to "turn the other cheek" may be for private individual and small day-to-day affairs, it spells social suicide if it is implemented by society as absolute value.

Islam therefore stipulates principles which Muslims are to follow before, during and after war. Peace is to be established on the basis of justice, Muslims are not to be aggressive or to violate treaties which they have concluded with others but was is to be waged in defense of the Muslim community and what it stands for. During war, there is to be no killing of civilians and those who do not participate directly in the war effort. Prisoners are to be treated humanly. Destruction of land, fruit trees, animals, and towns and villages is to be avoided. Muslims are to be inclined to peace if the enemy is truthfully inclined to peace, and they are to make treaties and agreements to preserve that peace and then observe those treaties as long as the enemy observes them.

The concept of "Jihad" is one of the highest in Islam. This term has at times been translated as "Holy war". However, this translation incomplete, for Jihad also means by language "striving". It is concept which places great emphasis on activism and self-sacrifice, although it does not apply to sacrifice in war alone. For example the Prophet said (peace be upon him) that the greatest Jihad is the striving of the Muslim to purify himself. The lesser jihad consists of all striving the Muslim does in his external life, charity, righteous living and acts, the constant effort to achieve the right path in his dealing with his fellow creatures. This is true striving in the way of Allah.