International Law of Armed Conflict from an Islamic Perspective:Human Dignity in the Midst of War

e are witnessing a continual rise in wars, conflicts, and human rights violations worldwide. Despite the convictions for genocide and crimes against humanity by the International Tribunal for War Crimes in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, such atrocities persist today. One of the most egregious examples of genocide and violations of all Geneva Conventions today is the Israeli aggression in Gaza. Although International Humanitarian Law exists, it is often disregarded, leaving international law largely ineffective in practice. Thus, religion can be utilized as a model for achieving peace and a ceasefire in our contemporary world as one of the most reliable options available. This paper explores the International Law of Armed Conflict from an Islamic perspective, emphasizing the role of human dignity during warfare, and highlights the convergence of Islamic legal principles with modern IHL, particularly in protecting non-combatants and upholding human dignity. The paper also discusses the integration of religious principles into humanitarian action, illustrating how Islamic values of compassion, justice, and charity align with IHL concepts like humanitarian corridors and the protection of non-combatants. Through historical examples and religious texts, the paper argues for the inclusion of religious approaches in contemporary conflict resolution, suggesting that Islamic principles offer valuable insights for achieving lasting peace and reconciliation.

Keywords: Human Dignity, IHL, International Law of Armed Conflict, Islam, Peace, Reconciliation, War.