Philosophical Basis of Pacifism from the Islamic Perspective

Studying the ontological and anthropological bases of pacifism, the present article seeks to deal with some principles governing Islamic ontology and anthropology which organize the foundation of pacifism. After examining the differing views on human nature, the article tries to provide an answer to the question whether human nature has a tendency towards viciousness and quarrel or whether human beings intrinsically seek pacifism and wars and struggles are actually caused by certain external factors.The present article, while discussing the various views of the subject in question, makes an attempt first to explore the ontological, legislative and anthropological bases of peace from the perspective of religion and then explains the fundamental, ontological, and anthropological approach to peace in view of the Islamic doctrines by recapitulating the main points of the discussions.