a weapon of mass destruction which uses living organisms like bacteria, viruses or toxins to infect and damage the body

a weapon of mass destruction which uses man-made toxic substances to harm the body through inhalation, skin contact or eye exposure

a weapon of mass destruction which uses a nuclear reaction to cause widespread damage and loss of life

weapons which cause widespread, indiscriminate damage (e. g. nuclear, chemical, biological)

Muslim responses to weapons of mass destruction

Religious education

Muslim attitudes towards peace

The role of Muslims in peacemaking

Muslim attitudes to conflict

Divergent Muslim attitudes to pacifism

Islam and Just War theory

Holy War and lesser Jihad

Islam and issues surrounding conflict

In this unit pupils examine Islamic attitudes to peace and violence.  They will examine attitudes to conflict, pacifism and holy or just war. They will move on to examine specific ideas such as nuclear war and terrorism. Finally they will examine the role of Islam in finding and making peace.

Peace and conflict

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Which of the following is NOT considered a weapon of mass destruction (WMD)?

Both Geneva Conventions and Islamic teachings reject weapons that cause indiscriminate and excessive {{}}.

Which Qur’anic principle is cited to limit warfare severity?

they cause disproportionate and uncontrolled suffering

Why are both possession and use condemned by scholars?

Utilitarians focus on consequences, while Kantians and Muslims stress duty and {{}} of life.

In Islam, war is only permitted in self-defence and must follow strict moral rules, like protecting {{}}.

What does the term 'lesser jihad' refer to?

Extremists misuse terms like jihad, but their actions go against Islamic teachings on justice and {{}}.

What was the Prophet’s approach to war?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Muslim responses to weapons of mass destruction

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.