Violence and Non-Violence in the Life of Muhammad

Islam’s origins in 7th-century Arabia are closely tied to the life and actions of Muhammad, its prophet. A study of his biography (Sīrah) and the Qur’anic revelations shows that both non-violent and violent strands in Islam trace back to different periods of his life, shaped by changing historical circumstances.

1. The Meccan Period (610–622 CE) – Non-violence dominant
Muhammad’s mission began in Mecca, where he preached monotheism, moral reform, and the coming judgment of God. His followers were few in number and faced intense persecution from the Quraysh elite. During this time, Qur’anic messages stressed patience, endurance, forgiveness, and peaceful persuasion. Violence was forbidden, and trust in God’s justice was paramount. This period is the source of Islam’s strongest non-violent tradition.

2. The Medinan Period (622–632 CE) – Violence enters the picture
In 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina, where he became both a spiritual and political leader. Now possessing autonomy and facing military threats, the Muslim community received revelations permitting armed defense and, in some cases, offensive action. Warfare in Arabia was a common means of settling disputes, and Muhammad participated in battles such as Badr (624), Uhud (625), and the Trench (627). Yet he also concluded peace treaties, most famously at Hudaybiyyah, and showed clemency to former enemies after the conquest of Mecca in 630.

3. The Mixed Legacy
Muhammad’s lifetime thus produced two enduring strands within Islam:

Non-violence: rooted in the early Meccan revelations and in later acts of mercy and diplomacy.

Violence: rooted in the Medinan period’s defensive and, at times, expansionary warfare.

Muslim thinkers throughout history have drawn on both strands, with some emphasizing the peaceful model, others the militant one, depending on context.

Timeline of Change in Muhammad’s Lifetime:

This dual legacy helps explain why Islamic history contains both pacifist and militant traditions, and why modern Muslim communities differ sharply on the role of violence in faith.