I know that you are exempt from fasting during Ramadan if a war is on (and also for other various reasons). But - has it ever been customary (or even - required) for Muslim fighting forces to offer truces, or to refrain from going on the offensive, during the month of Ramadan?
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2The opposition in Syria called for one uk.reuters.com/article/…– SleepingGodJun 6, 2017 at 15:48
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@SleepingGod: Yes, I know, but 1. That's not a custom or a requirement, it was a suggestion (and quite possibly a "you wouldn't hit a man with glasses" kind of suggestion) 2. They didn't unilateraly refrain from attacks AFAICR 3. That's more of a current event than history...– einpoklumJun 6, 2017 at 17:18
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I don't think so. The first battle fought by Muslims (Badr) was fought in Ramzan. There is no obligation on the Muslims to offer truces just because its Ramzan. Nor have I ever read on it being a custom, there have been various wars fought by Muslims against other Muslims and non-Muslims in month of Ramzan.– NSNoobJun 7, 2017 at 6:56
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No there has been no such obligation or custom. Muslims have fought plenty of wars against each others and non-Muslims in the month of Ramadan without any considerations of offering a truce just because it's that month.
Muslim vs Muslims
- Caliph Ali was murdered by a Kharjite on 21st of Ramadan. Granted it was act of one team instead of a proper battle but it is a part of the First Fitna (First Muslim civil war) and War against Kharjites. The first Fitna itself raged for years without any regard for Ramadan. Case of other Muslim civil wars is similar.
Muslims vs Non-Muslims
- The first battle of Islam, Badr was fought on 17th Ramadan, 2 AH.
- Second expedition of Wadi al-Qura was fought in Ramadan of 6 AH.
- Mecca was conquered by Muslims on 20th Ramadan 8 AH.
- Muslims won the decisive battle of Guadalete on 28-29th of Ramadan 92 AH.
- Muslims finally stopped the Mongol tide at Ain Jalut on 26th of Ramadan 658 AH.
Conclusion
No there is no instance of Muslims offering a truce just because the arising conflict happens to coincide with Ramadan. There is no provision for it in Muslim theology nor in their history.
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+1 and accept, but the 1973 Ramadan war was not started by religious regimes - it was started by an attack by Egypt and Syria, the latter with quite a secular regime and the former under a "semi-secular" military dictatorship I guess you could say. Even though their populations are mostly Sunni Muslim of course. Jun 7, 2017 at 8:19
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@einpoklum Aha. I thought we were talking about Muslim forces regardless to the political structure of their states. That's why I thought I should probably mention YK war.– NSNoobJun 7, 2017 at 8:37
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Well, a secular regime would not feel bound by religious customs, so the fact that it doesn't engender/offer a Ramadan truce is not evident to such a custom not existing. But you gave enough examples without that one... Jun 7, 2017 at 8:40
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