ففتھ جنریشن وار کا دفاع قرآن و سنت کی روشنی میں

The Defense of Fifth Generation Warfare: A Study in the Light of the Qurʼān and Sunnah

Abstract

Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW), encompassing information warfare, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and psychological operations, has emerged as a dominant and multifaceted threat in contemporary global conflicts. This paper investigates the permissibility, limits, and ethical considerations of 5GW within the paradigm of Islamic thought, drawing upon the primary sources of the Qur’ān and Sunnah. Central to the analysis is the Islamic doctrine of jihād, the right to self-defence, and the moral obligation to protect the integrity and security of the Muslim ummah. The study critically examines selected Qur’ānic injunctions and Prophetic precedents that reflect the strategic use of non conventional methods in the face of aggression, while also highlighting Islam’s uncompromising emphasis on justice (ʿadl), truthfulness (ṣidq), and the inviolability of innocent life. Recognizing the inherent dangers of 5GW—particularly its potential to deceive, manipulate, and harm noncombatants— the paper proposes a principled framework for its ethical deployment. This includes criteria such as the legitimacy of the cause, proportionality, minimal collateral damage, and consistency with Islamic legal and moral boundaries. It also encourages the integration of international humanitarian standards where they do not  conflict with Sharīʿah. The study concludes that, while 5GW tactics may be conditionally justified for defence against unjust aggression, their use must remain rigorously anchored in Islamic ethical guidelines to ensure moral integrity in asymmetrical warfare.