198. Waging a war not mandatory on weak governments.

Islam not only allows, but makes it a mandatory duty on Muslim countries to wage wars on reasonable causes

and lays the strengthening of military powers as a condition to fulfill this duty. Entering a battle field without proper strength equals to suicide.

In the initial stages war was made a mandatory duty because the strength of Muslims was 1/10 of that of the enemies. Later it was decreed war to be waged if the strength was half of that of the enemy, and is not mandatory if the strength is less than half of that of the enemy. This guidance can be seen in verses (8:65,66) of the Quran.

It could be understood from these verses, that when the strength of the Muslim forces is less than half of that of the enemies, either entering into a truce or abstaining from fighting cannot be considered a crime.

To know more about war, terrorism, Jihad please refer to explanation points 53, 54, 55, 76, 89, 197, 199, 203, 359