An Investigation into the Limits of Retaliation by the Islamic Government Based on the Quranic Verses

Defending the Islamic state against the attacks launched by enemies is considered a legal defense at the international level and one of the definite rights of the people. In addition to defending, some countermeasures can be essential and justifiable. A question arises here: Is the Islamic state able to organize and carry out all-out retaliatory attacks and take countermeasures against the attacks that may be launched by the enemies? In fact, the answer to the question lies in the acceptance of the permission for retaliation at the international level and in connection to the foreign relations of the Islamic state. In case the answer to the above question is positive, the second question arises: To what extent are these measures permissible and what are the possible obstacles?
It seems that retaliation can be made possible as it is the case with the realms of the private or criminal law and those of the international relations and the belligerent countries (states) or movements. Despite the appropriate aspects of the matter in question, the process of exercising the rule ‘retaliation’, in respect of ‘target’, against civilians (non-military targets) and the enemy captives and in respect of ‘method’ in dealing with inhuman methods as well as the use of weapons of mass destruction may face restrictions and prohibitions. Except for the realm of creating knowledge and acquisition of knowledge of production which can serve to terrify the enemy, there might be the case when it is not permitted to retaliate. In addition, in the present situation, this very last view is consistent with the higher interests and expediencies of the Islamic system.
The article at hand seeks to cast light on the issue of the process of the rule of giving permission for ‘retaliation’ by the Islamic government from the QurÞanic viewpoint as well as the restrictions and obstacles involved.