ABSTRACT
It is a common belief that Islam and pacifism are incompatible. Using a traditionalist approach to religious issues, this chapter seeks to construct arguments for the opposite. It argues that Islam and pacifism can be compatible at three levels: international, national and individual. Based on the arguments put forth, the chapter asserts that the issue of pacifism should not be restricted to issue of halal (permissible), that is upholding the commandment of jihad, versus absolute haram (forbidden), that is the denial of jihad obligation. Instead, it is an issue where disagreement is permissible and the principle of “agreeing to disagree” like many other religious issues can be upheld by all.
