A Research Review of Non-Military Conflicts in the Light of Prophetic Teachings and Their Contemporary Application

Abstract

This research paper highlights the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah in resolving non-military conflicts, with a particular focus on the principles of peace, justice, consultation, and tolerance found in the noble life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The main objective of this study is to demonstrate how the Qur’an and Prophetic example provide a comprehensive and sustainable framework for the peaceful resolution of conflicts—one that was effective in the Prophet’s time and remains equally relevant and applicable in today’s global context.

The findings reveal that the Qur’an emphasizes four fundamental principles—justice, reconciliation, consultation, and tolerance—which the Prophet ﷺ implemented in practice, setting an eternal example. The Charter of Medina served as a groundbreaking agreement that unified diverse religious and tribal groups under a shared legal system, ensuring equality, security, and religious freedom. Similarly, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah illustrated that accepting seemingly unfavorable terms could pave the way for long-term peace and success.

For empirical analysis, a field survey was conducted among 155 participants in District Kohat, which revealed that the contemporary Muslim world is predominantly affected by non-military strategies such as economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, media propaganda, and psychological warfare. The majority of respondents stressed that internal divisions, lack of leadership, and limited influence in global media are key obstacles hindering the implementation of Prophetic principles.

The analysis concludes that the Prophetic strategies—justice-based decision-making, interfaith dialogue, collective consultation, and structured agreements—not only ensured successful conflict resolution in the past but also continue to offer practical guidance for modern systems such as UN mediation, interfaith dialogue, and judicial frameworks. This research argues that if the Muslim world adopts frameworks like the Charter of Medina and farsighted strategies such as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, it can effectively address current non-military challenges and play a constructive role in building a peaceful and balanced international order.

Keywords: Non-military conflicts, Qur’an and Sunnah, Prophetic strategies, Charter of Medina, Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, justice and fairness, tolerance, consultation, contemporary application, Kohat district survey.