The Misconception that Islam was spread by Force (1/4)

One misconception, promoted by the enemies of justice who do not read of the historical sources impartially but rehash old propaganda over and over again, is the false accusation that Islam was spread by compulsion and coercion. Various scriptures from the Majestic Qur’an can rebut this vile slander.

Allah Most Exalted says in His Majestic Book:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Taghoot (Satan, idols, tyrants, etc) and believes in Allah, has grasped the most trustworthy hand hold that never breaks. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”  (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:256)

And He, the Most Exalted, says:

“If it had been your Lord's Will, they all would have believed, all the people on earth! Will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!” (Surah Yunus, 10:99)

And He, the Most Exalted, says:

 “Say, The Truth is from your Lord: Let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject and disbelieve. We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire whose smoke and flames, like the wall and roof of a tent, will overwhelm them. If they implore for relief they will be granted water like melted brass that will scald their faces. How dreadful a drink! And how uncomfortable a couch to recline on!”   (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:29)

And He, the Most Exalted, says:

“But if they turn away, your duty is only to preach the Clear Message.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:82)

And He, the Most Exalted, says:

 “Therefore give admonition, for you are indeed one to admonish. But you are not one to manage the affairs.” (Surah Al-Ghaashiyah, 88:21-22)

And He, the Most Exalted, says:

 “Say: Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him, as you are likewise responsible for the duty placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear Message.” (Surah An-Nur, 24:54)

And He, the Most Exalted, says:

“If one of the pagan idolaters ask you for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah, then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.”  (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:6)

These and many other verses of the Qur’an and teachings of Prophetic traditions make it clear that no coercion or compulsion in religion is allowed: no one is ever to be forced against his will to convert to Islam. Faith must be by knowledge and free will and based upon firm conviction in the heart, followed by the testimony of correct words and good deeds. A mere pronouncement on the lips of the creed of Islam, “LA ILAHA ILLALLAH” (There is no god except Allah (that is worthy of being worshipped) - is not enough to confirm one as a believer, even thought, if said with the kernel of initial faith, one immediately becomes a Muslim. As Allah said about the Bedouins who professed verbally without firm conviction:

“The desert Arabs say: ‘We believe.’ Say: ‘You do not yet have real Faith, but rather say only: ‘We have submitted to Allah (aslamna: we are Muslims),’ since Faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not slight you (the reward) of your deeds: for Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Fath, 48:14)

It is known that someone cannot be forced to change what is in the depths of his heart, and that one may profess with his tongue what he does not really believe with certainty: this is not Islam nor Islamic faith. For this reason Allah said the following about the one compelled under torture to renounce his faith in Islam:

“Anyone who utters words of disbelief after accepting Faith in Allah - except under compulsion while his heart remains firm in Faith - such as one who opens his breast to disbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and there will be a dreadful Penalty for them.”   (Surah An-Nahl, 16:106)

Disbelief occurs by opening the heart to disbelieve willingly, and upon this basis, one speaks evil and commits his criminal acts rebelling against Allah and the revealed guidance of the Messengers and becomes an apostate after being a Muslim.

Another accusation related to the above is that Islam was spread by force of arms and warfare. It is an established fact that any system or government, regardless of its source, requires a protective force to defend it adherents, preserve its values, spread its principles, ensure a fair application of its law, and enforce the just execution of legal penalties against criminals and those who rebel against the system. As reported in the tradition of the Prophet (sallAllahu’alaihi wa sallam):

“Truly, Allah admonishes with the authority of the ruler, more than what He admonishes with the Divine Revelation of the Qur’an” (i.e. more by enforcing the punishments justly than the God-consciousness from reading scripture) (see al-Hindi, Kanz-ul-Aámaal)

Let us take a glimpse of the early days of Islam and its amazing spread over the known world to analyze the truth of this accusation in the light of documented historical fact. The Messenger of Allah Muhammad (sallAllahu’alaihi wa sallam) after his commission from Allah to arise and publicize his divine message, remained in the sacred city of Makkah for thirteen years inviting his people of the Quraish tribe and the visitors of Makkah to Islam. He engaged every possible way to inform and convey the message of the revelations of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, encountering false accusations, slander, persecutions, harassment, boycotts, threats, attacks, and brutal physical aggression from his people. Those who believed shared in his sufferings, and since he was not yet commanded by Allah to meet violence and aggression with armed defense, his followers persevered and suffered the harshest forms of persecutions withholding their hands and adhering to the precepts of peaceful missionary activity. Many were tortured and some were martyred for their faith in Islam, and the accounts of these brave souls bear testimony to the long sufferings his followers endured in this period of severe testing. The Prophet soothed the wounds of his companion Ammar ibn Yasir and his parents who eventually became the first martyrs of Islam with the words:

“Be patient, O family of Yaser! Paradise will be your permanent abode.” (Reported by Al-Hakim)

(Continued)