Shaykh Ibn Baz explains that Islam is a religion of peace, mercy, justice, and righteousness. Its core meaning is submission to Allah alone and abandoning all that is worshipped besides Him. The foundation of the religion is to single out Allah in worship and to follow His Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah sent His Prophet as a mercy to all of creation.

The Shaykh clarifies that the legislated form of jihad (fighting in Allah's cause) does not contradict this foundation of mercy. Rather, it is one of the greatest manifestations of Islam's justice and concern for humanity. Jihad is prescribed to repel the aggression of enemies, to protect the lives, property, and honor of Muslims, and to remove oppressive systems that prevent the call of Islam from reaching people freely.

It is not, as some critics allege, a means of forcing people to convert. This is prohibited in the Qur'an itself. Instead, it is a tool to secure peace and establish justice, allowing people the choice to accept the truth without coercion. Shaykh Ibn Baz emphasizes that this jihad has strict rules and ethics that forbid the killing of non-combatants like women, children, and the elderly, and prohibits needless destruction. It is a necessary component of a complete way of life that seeks to establish goodness and forbid evil on earth.

Therefore, Islam is a religion of peace in its aims and essence, and the use of force is a conditional measure prescribed by God to protect that peace and ensure justice prevails over corruption and tyranny. The objective is to bring people from the darkness of polytheism and injustice into the light of monotheism and divine justice.