Last Sunday, together with Britain, we commemorated Remembrance Day, honouring those who lost their lives in the two world wars.

Bermuda’s UK representative, Kimberley Durrant, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to honour the 3,000 Bermudians who served in the wars — including the 125 who made the ultimate sacrifice.

She joined fellow representatives from the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies in a solemn tribute led by King Charles III, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and veterans — remembering those who fought for freedom and peace.

Yet one cannot help but ask — was their fight in vain? They believed they were fighting to end all wars, to secure peace and liberty for future generations. But today, the world seems more divided and war-hungry than ever.

May their memory stir our consciences and renew our resolve to seek peace by better means — through justice, understanding, and compassion.

Lest we forget.

Reflecting on such immense human loss brings into sharp focus the importance of understanding the ethical dimensions of conflict. The Koran addresses conflict with a distinct emphasis on moral guidance, justice, and the pursuit of peace.

Unlike the devastating wars of the twentieth century or ongoing conflicts around the world today, Islam sets clear ethical boundaries for the conduct of war.

In Islam, warfare is permitted only under specific circumstances: self-defence or protecting the oppressed. Allah says in the noble Koran (2:190): “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.”

Even in times of conflict, Muslims are commanded to act justly and refrain from harming innocents. Aggression, cruelty, and indiscriminate destruction are strictly forbidden.

The two world wars show the catastrophic consequences of ignoring moral limits. Millions of lives were lost, entire cities destroyed, and civilians bore the brunt of industrial-scale warfare.

Modern conflicts, from regional clashes to proxy wars, continue these patterns: mass displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and lasting societal trauma. In contrast, Islamic guidance envisions war as a last resort, strictly regulated and bounded by ethical principles.

Islamic teachings place peace at the forefront: “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah.” (Koran, 8:61)

This verse emphasises that reconciliation, dialogue, and negotiation are always preferred. Unlike modern warfare, often driven by political ambition or economic gain, Islam frames war as a moral responsibility rather than a tool for conquest.

The Koran places human conflict within a moral framework: “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned …” (30:41)

Wars often reflect moral failings: oppression, injustice, greed, and disregard for human life. Islam teaches that ethical conduct must be maintained even amid inevitable conflict.

Civilians and non-combatants are explicitly protected in Islamic warfare. Historical and modern conflicts, however, often ignore this principle, causing immense suffering. The Koran’s guidance emphasises restraint, fairness, and protection of human dignity, even during hostilities.

Islam teaches that war is never an end in itself but a situation requiring moral responsibility. The two world wars and ongoing global conflicts reveal the consequences of abandoning ethical boundaries, where unchecked aggression leads to immense suffering.

The Koran provides an alternative vision: war, when unavoidable, must be conducted with justice as its foundation, peace as its ultimate goal, and war as the last resort.

As we remember those who sacrificed their lives, the motto “Lest we forget” takes on deeper meaning. We must never forget that conflict can be addressed without the destruction of life and limb, and that peaceful solutions should always be pursued first.

Humanity must strive to find other ways — through dialogue, justice, and reconciliation — with war being the last resort. The legacy of past wars reminds us that peace is not merely an ideal but a responsibility.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “The most beloved of people to Allah on the Day of Judgment and the closest to Him will be the peacemakers” (Sunan Abu Dawood 2644), highlighting the spiritual merit of fostering harmony.

It cannot be emphasised enough that war is permitted only in self-defence, never as aggression and peace is always the ideal.

As Benjamin Franklin famously observed, “There has never been a good war or a bad peace” — a truth echoed in Islamic guidance.

As we remember those who fell in the two world wars, we are reminded that conflict still scars our world today.

Christianity affirms: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9).

Prophet Muhammad said, “The most beloved of people to Allah … will be the peacemakers.” (Sunan Abu Dawood 2644).

Without a doubt, peace is the only path to true harmony for all, and justice is its essential forerunner. Yet when will humanity truly reject the cruelty of war and embrace lasting peace?

Lest we forget.

May this week bring Bermuda peace, blessings, and purpose.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam