What is the place of revenge/retaliation in Islam?

Dear Brother / Sister,

In the Islamic law, "Damage is not retaliated by damage." Accordingly, damage is not retaliated by damage between people except for self-defense. Retaliation will lead to individual revenge and fight, which will disrupt the social system. The one who is harmed has the right to file suit and claim damages.

"His damage is recompensed." (Majalla, Item 20)

"If a person harms/decreases the goods of another person, he will have to pay for the missing part." (Majalla, Item 917)

However, Muslims can wage war against unbelievers who attack them as retaliation:

"The prohibited month for the prohibited month,- and so for all things prohibited,- there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, Transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves." (al-Baqara, 2/194).

That is, the verse orders Muslims to retaliate and to answer the attack no matter when they are attacked. Besides, the prohibition of fighting in the prohibited months was abolished in Islam. It is necessary to answer the attack in the same way for the honor of Islam. (Şamil İslam Ans., Mukabele Item.)

A person should act in accordance with the laws of the country he lives in. If a person who is harmed tries to compensate for it himself, it will lead to anarchy, feud and disruption of the social order. Therefore, it is not appropriate to retaliate in order to take revenge.

Questions on Islam