2:190
Al-Baqarah
البقرة
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
Translation
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.
Tafsir (Commentary)
This verse establishes the Islamic framework for just war: fighting is permitted only in self-defense, and even then must observe strict limits. The prohibition against transgression (la ta'tadu) encompasses excessive force, targeting non-combatants, and destruction of property.
Context of Revelation
Revealed after the Muslims in Medina faced military aggression from the Quraysh of Mecca. It permitted self-defense while establishing ethical boundaries for warfare.