Was the Call of Islam Spread by the Sword?

Was the Call of Islam Spread by the Sword?

The enemies of Islam have, throughout history, accused Islam with this allegation. Indeed Islam has never forced people to believe in it, nor placed swords on their necks to push them to bear witness to what it has born witness to, or submit to its doctrine, in any way. This assertion is very much mistaken for a variety of reasons:

1) It is wrong because history tells us that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH.) lived in Makkah thirteen years calling people to the religion of Islam under much persecution by its occupants at the time. He faced hostility and torture even from his own family and the nearest people to him, nevertheless he persevered and endured

the pain of isolation and marginalisation. He used to walk past his companions being tortured saying no more than: "Patience O people for your destination is Paradise." Nevertheless, many of those early believers kept heir will and faith. The Ansar, the people of Madeenah, also accepted him as the messenger of Allah following a brief encounter with him during the Hajj season after which a convoy came to offer him their oath of allegiance finally leading to the covenant of Al-Aqabah- the covenant which ultimately lead to the great emigration of the Prophet. In all of this the Prophet did not meet his enemies with the sword, but he used to persevere and be

patient with good manners and modesty, saying: "O Lord! Forgive my people for they Know not." The permission to fight was not received from Allah by revelation until the second year after Hijrah, after the enemies of Islam had increased in number and had begun to provoke him and plot against him. Allah sent these verses in which one finds the most magnificent examples of the nobility of purpose, and of the reasons for war:

‘Permission to fight is given to those who (i.e. believers against disbelievers), who are

being fought because they (believers) have been wronged, and surely, Allah is Able to

give them (believers) victory - those who have been expelled from their homes

unjustly only because they said: "Our Lord is Allah" - For had it not been that Allah

checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues,

and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been

pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His Cause. Truly, Allah is

All-Strong, All-Mighty. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land,

(they) order for the establishment of prayer, to pay charity, and they enjoin goodness

and forbid evil. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters.’

(Surat-al-Hajj (22), ayahs 39-41)

History tells us that the companions of the messenger of Allah entered the lands with their good conduct and honest dealings before they conquered them with their swords, armaments and numbers. For, it is inconceivable that a small number of Arabs could subvert the throne of Kisra (Persia), flatten the kingdom of Rome and inherit the world after these huge civilizations, in the short while that they did. It is unimaginable that eight thousand soldiers could conquer a vast region the size of Egypt, and spread their religion, culture andbelief with force and imposition. It is through kind discourse and beautiful treatment that they were able to achieve what they had achieved. From this it can been seen why peoples used to crave for the return of the Muslims after they had left, so how can it be said that Islam was founded on the sword or spread by it.

2) It is also refuted by the verses in the Holy Qur’an that affirm freedom of conviction by saying in all clarity and

honesty:

‘There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever

disbelieves in the tyranny and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will

never break. And Allah is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.’

(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 256)

He Also says:

‘And say: "the truth is from your Lord.", then whosoever wills, let him believe, and

whosoever wills let him disbelieve.’

(Surat-al-Kahf (18), ayah 29)

Allah also says:

And if anyone of the disbelievers seeks your protection, so that they hear the Word of

Allah, then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who

know not.’

(Surat-at-Tauba(9), ayah 6)

These verses bind the believers such that if anyone among the disbelievers asks them for clarification they

must explain the message and simplify the objectives of Islam to him, then protect him till he reaches his place of security, and leave him to reach a decision through personal conviction and not through fear and compulsion.

3) It is false because the pillars of Islam and what was practised in accordance with them refutes it in the strongest possible terms. For the basis of belief in Islam is rationality, contemplation and deep conviction:

‘The Bedouins say: "We believe." Say: "You believe not but only say, ‘We have

surrendered (to Islam),’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts’

(Surah Al-Hujuraat (49), ayah 14)

And the cause of responsibility in Islam is that the message is heard in such a way that it deserves

consideration, hence refusing it would mean the denial of the well contemplated message of Allah. And that imitation is not a good grounds for Imaan (faith), let alone compulsion. Some contemporary scholars have saidin this regards:

‘Verily, everyone who imitates on matters of belief

His faith is not without hesitation.’

Also, in Islam, the words of the one under pressure or threat are rejected and he will not be accountable for hisactions. Thus, the religion which considers the sound mind and freedom of choice as the bedrock of belief and responsibility can not be said to have been established or expanded by the sword; even though it has permitted fighting for the purposes mentioned earlier. The sign of true belief is confidence in it:

‘Those who believe, and whose hearts rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the

remembrance of Allah do hearts not find rest? Those who believe and work

righteousness, all kinds of happiness is for them and a beautiful place of final return.’

 (Al-Ra’d (13), ayahs 28-29).