The Implication of Verses of Quran and Narrations on the Prohibition of Massacre

One of the important issues for jurists is the protection of innocent people in military incidents. Since mostly war casualties include those who do not deserve to be killed, judicial institutions in last recent years have extensively strived to stop massacre. In the international instruments what have been considered regarding the prohibition of massacre is the fact that if persons are not distinguished from each other, the result would be the destruction of those who do not play role in the war; therefore, it is essential that in every attack a complete distinction must be made to recognize the military or civilian objectives. The “Principal of Distinction”, which in the international legal instruments goes back not to a long time ago, is emphasized in the verses of the Holy Qur'an and the words of the Prophet (PBUH) and his innocent Progeny (PBUTH), as well. One Qur’anic example of The Principal of Distinction and Prohibition of Massacre is the verse Fath: 25 that refers to this Principal by the phrase of “Law Tazayyalū La-ʽAdhdhabnā al-Ladhīn Kafarū Minhum” (if they were separate We would certainly have chastised the disbelievers).