Even today, many people say that “Islam spread by the sword.” That is, people were forced to convert to Islam, showed strength, fought, and thus the religion spread... But is this true?
After reading this article, you will know for yourself that this is an opinion, not a truth.
Let’s start with a simple example.
Suppose there are two shops near you the first shop says, “Buy from me by force!”
And the second shop says: “If you like it, take it; if you don’t like it, it’s okay.”
Where will you go? Of course, to the second shop.
The teachings of Islam are like another shop “There is no compulsion.”
Is Forced Conversion Allowed in Islam?
In the Quran, Allah clearly stated:
“There is no compulsion in religion.”
(Quran 2:256)
This verse makes it clear that neither oppression, nor sword, nor force, nor threat can make anyone a Muslim.
This is not just a phrase. This is a legal principle of Islam.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never forced anyone.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preached Islam to people for 23 years. During this time:
He did not force anyone to convert
He did not intimidate anyone with the sword
He did not threaten anyone
On the contrary, he said:
“Whoever wrongs a non-Muslim, I will oppose him on the Day of Judgment.”
(Hadith – Sunan Abu Dawud 3052)
This means,
The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave the principle of protecting non-Muslims.
The countries with the largest spread of Islam, there has never been a war.
Surprisingly, which countries have the largest Muslim populations in the world?
Indonesia, Malaysia, Many countries in Africa, in all these places:
- Islamic armies never reached
- There was no war
- The sword was not used
So how did people become Muslims?
Merchants, Good behavior, Honesty, Kindness, High morals
People met such people, and they voluntarily accepted Islam.
Islam spread in India too, not by the sword, but by behavior
90% of the people who brought Islam to India:
Clergymen
Sufi saints
Saints, scholars
Loyal Muslim merchants
They showed people:
Love
Respect
Justice
Equality
The Persian historian “Al-Biruni” (1030 AD) wrote about India:
“The people of India embraced Islam because of the honesty of Muslim traders.”
Not because of war, but because of good behavior.
The sword in Islam is not for war – it is for protection
No country in the world keeps an army to protect itself. Does that mean they are forcing other countries? No.
The sword in Islam:
Not to start a war
Not to attack others
Only for protection
The Quran says:
“Fight those who oppress you; but do not transgress.”
(Quran 2:190)
That is, protection, not aggression.
If you become a Muslim, is there a Jizya? If you do not become a Muslim, is there a punishment? Wrong information
Some people say,
“If someone is not a Muslim, he has to pay Jizya.”
But the whole truth is this:
- Jizya is only imposed on the army that was defeated in the war
- Not on the common citizens
- Not on women
- Not on children
- Not on the poor
- Not on beggars
- Not on saints
After so much relaxation, where is the “forced” left?
Muslim rulers preserved temples an example from history
Many Islamic rulers in India:
- Protected temples
- Rebuilt them
- Respected Brahmins
- Donated to Vedas and Pathshalas
The famous historian “A. L. Srivastava” writes:
“Most Muslim rulers respected Hinduism.”
If Islam had spread by the sword, where would Hinduism be today?
India was under Muslim rule for 800 years. If there was a policy of converting by the sword. Today in India:
15–20% would not be Muslims
90–95% would be Muslims
But what is the reality?
India even today:
80% Hindu
14% Muslims
If “converting by the sword” were true, this would not have been possible.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) made an agreement for the rights of non-Muslims
In the Constitution of Medina, Muslims, Jews, Christians, and other religions were given equal rights.
This agreement states:
“The Jews are our citizens; their religion is for them, our religion is for us.”
(Medina Charter – Article 25)
This is history, not fiction.
Many non-Muslims praised Islam.
British researcher Davenport says:
“The allegation that Islam was spread by the sword does not match history.”
French historian Lamartine writes:
“Muhammad (peace be upon him) never spread religion by the sword; his moral force was sufficient.”
So how did Islam spread?
With just four things:
- Justice
- Kindness
- Equality
- Honesty
Wherever Muslim merchants and saints went, people said:
“These people are so simple, good and truthful… What must their religion be like?”
And people accepted Islam on their own.
Conclusion – What is the truth?
- Islam did not spread by the sword
- The Quran forbids coercion
- The Prophet ﷺ never forced religion
- Most Muslim countries in the world became Islamic without war
- Islam spread in India through morality
Many historians have also confirmed that Islam spread not by the sword but by truth, justice, and good conduct.
FAQs
1. Was Islam really spread by the sword?
No. Islam grew mainly through good character, fair trade, kindness, justice, and peaceful preaching.
Most Muslims in countries like India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Africa became Muslim through traders and scholars, not war.
2. Did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) force anyone to accept Islam?
No. The Qur’an clearly says:
“There is no compulsion in religion.”
(Qur’an 2:256)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) never forced people to change their faith.
3. If Islam is peaceful, then why were there battles?
Battles happened only for self-defense, because early Muslims were attacked and tortured.
When Muslims were not attacked, they did not fight anyone.
4. Did Islam spread in India by force?
No. Islam came to India before any Muslim army, through Arab traders, Sufi saints, and teachers.
Kerala’s Chera king Cheramaan Perumal accepted Islam after meeting Arab Muslims this is a documented historical fact.
5. Why did so many non-Arabs become Muslim?
Because they saw:
- justice and equality
- fair treatment
- no caste system
- simple worship
- honest trade
These values attracted millions.
6. Does the Qur’an teach violence?
No. The Qur’an teaches peace, patience, forgiveness, justice, and respect.
Violence is allowed only for self-defense, like every nation in the world.
7. What about the verse “kill them wherever you find them”?
That verse talks about a specific war where Muslims were being attacked.
It does not allow harming innocent people. Context is very important.
8. Why do people misunderstand Islamic history?
Because certain hate groups propagate inaccurate information, they follow incorrect information from movies and social media, and they interpret passages without context. The truth is revealed when one reads original sources.
9. Which country has the most Muslims today?
Indonesia, and Indonesia became Muslim peacefully, through traders and teachers, not through armies.
10. What is the real reason Islam spread worldwide?
Because people loved its message of One God, equality of all humans, discipline, kindness, justice, and a simple and clean lifestyle.
Islam spreads when people see the character of Muslims, not by any force.
Recommended Books to Deepen Your Understanding
Here are a few authentic and inspiring books you can read for free (PDF format):
The Sealed Nectar (Ar-Raheeq AI-Makhturn) Download pdf
Concept of Prophethood in Different Religions Download PDF
Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam Download PDF
Towards Understanding Islam Download PDF
The Scientific Truths of the Quran Download PDF
Each book offers a new window into the compassion, justice, and humanity of the Prophet Muhammad, pbuh.
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