Divergent Muslim attitudes to pacifism
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain divergent Muslim views on pacifism and the use of violence.
Key learning points
- Muslim views on pacifism vary. Some support total non-violence while most allow limited force in certain cases.
- Surah 5:28 is seen by some as passive resistance, but others view it as a personal choice rather than a rule.
- The Prophet forgave his enemies at the conquest of Makkah, showing mercy as an alternative to revenge.
- Lesser jihad permits fighting to defend Islam and protect the oppressed within strict moral limits.
- Muslims have different views: some are pacifist while most believe force is justified when peaceful efforts fail.
Keywords
Pacifism - belief that all violence is wrong, which then affects all behaviours
Peace - the opposite of war; harmony between all in society
Violence - behaviour involving physical force which intends to hurt, kill or cause damage
Common misconception
Islam generally supports the use of violence in response to conflict.
Islam promotes peace-making first, and only allows limited force under strict conditions like self-defence or protecting the oppressed.
Teacher tip
Use real case studies, such as Muslim Peace Fellowship or historical figures like Abdul Ghaffar Khan, to help students connect abstract teachings to real-life choices and actions.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Peacemaking is about creating peace and rebuilding after conflict.
Q2.Why do peacemakers avoid violence?
Q3.Muslims are taught to respond to evil with .
Q4.Do only religious people support peacemaking?
Q5.Which of the following is an example of peacemaking?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Some Muslims support total non-violence, but most allow limited use of .
Q2.What type of approach does Surah 5:28 suggest to some Muslims?
Q3.What did the Prophet Muhammad do at the conquest of Makkah?
Q4.Islam allows limited force only under conditions.
Q5.What limits are placed on lesser jihad?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Divergent Muslim attitudes to pacifism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Divergent Muslim attitudes to pacifism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Peace and conflict unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.