New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Muslim attitudes to conflict

I can understand the nature of conflict and explore different perspectives on it, including those from a Muslim viewpoint.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Muslim attitudes to conflict

I can understand the nature of conflict and explore different perspectives on it, including those from a Muslim viewpoint.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Conflict can be small or large and is often caused by politics, religion, inequality or power struggles.
  2. It leads to serious harm, including loss of life, displacement and damage to communities.
  3. Religion can create division but also encourages peace, forgiveness and moral action.
  4. Islam teaches that peace is the aim and force is only allowed in strict self-defence.
  5. Muslims reject outcome-based ethics, following clear guidance from Allah on conflict instead.

Keywords

  • Conflict - the opposition of individuals or groups that may result in aggression or fighting

  • Peace - a period of time in which there is no war

  • Violence - behaviour that aims to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy

Common misconception

Islam supports violence in response to conflict.

Islam teaches that violence is only allowed in self-defence and under strict conditions.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Muslim attitudes to conflict, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use case studies of examples of conflict around the world.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following best describes peacemaking?

ignoring problems
Correct answer: creating understanding and peace
winning arguments

Q2.
Peacemakers reject violence and the of using it.

Correct Answer: threat, Threat

Q3.
What inspires Muslim peacemakers?

personal gain
Correct answer: religious teachings
competition

Q4.
Why might a non-religious person support peace?

Correct answer: for ethical or human rights reasons
to convert others
to obey scripture

Q5.
Peacemaking uses non-violent actions like reconciliation, negotiation, and addressing ...

Correct Answer: injustice, Injustice

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each key word to its meaning:

Correct Answer:conflict,the opposition of individuals or groups, resulting in aggression

the opposition of individuals or groups, resulting in aggression

Correct Answer:peace,a period of time in which there is no war

a period of time in which there is no war

Correct Answer:violence,behaviour that aims to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy

behaviour that aims to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy

Q2.
Conflict is often driven by politics, power, inequality and ...

Correct Answer: religion, Religion

Q3.
What often happens to communities after conflict?

peace treaties
Correct answer: collapse of essential services
economic growth

Q4.
When is conflict permitted in Islam?

for tradition
for power
Correct answer: only in self-defence

Q5.
Muslims reject utilitarian and situation ethics in favour of following guidance.

Correct Answer: Allah’s

Q6.
Some Muslims promote pacifism, while others accept force under strict conditions.

Correct Answer: limited, Limited