Islam and Just War theory
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Just War theory and Islamic responses to it.
Key learning points
- Just War theory developed across classical, religious and secular traditions, setting rules for war.
- Lesser jihad has similar rules: just cause, right authority and protection of civilians, aiming for peace.
- Sunni and Shia Muslims differ on who can declare lesser jihad but agree on its main conditions.
- Many Muslims see Just War theory as broadly in line with Islamic values on defence and justice.
- Some Muslims believe lesser jihad no longer applies and focus on peaceful resistance.
Keywords
Innocents - those who are not actively taking part in the fighting or planning of war
Just War theory - a set of ethical principles used to decide whether war is morally acceptable
Lesser jihad - the struggle to remove evil from the world
Common misconception
All Muslims support the idea of lesser jihad and believe in using violence to defend Islam.
While some Muslims accept the conditions for lesser jihad, others reject physical fighting today and focus on peaceful, spiritual struggle instead. Islam teaches that war must be a last resort and only under strict moral limits.
Teacher tip
Use real case studies to explore how Just War theory is applied and challenged in practice. Comparing these with Islamic principles helps students evaluate both similarities and limits.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is a pacifist view in Islam?
Q2.Surah 5:28 is seen by some as an example of passive ...
Q3.What does lesser jihad allow?
Q4.Most Muslims allow force only when peaceful efforts ...
Q5.What value did the Prophet demonstrate during the conquest of Makkah?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Just War theory includes rules such as just cause, right intention, and proper ...
Q2.What is one condition for declaring lesser jihad?
Q3.What do Sunni and Shia Muslims disagree about in terms of lesser jihad?
Q4.What do some Muslims believe about physical fighting today?
Q5.Which value is important in both Islamic teaching and Just War theory?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Islam and Just War theory, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Islam and Just War theory, 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.