A common misconception that has resurfaced recently and
this time in a magnified, out-of-proportion blow is that the instrument for the
spread of Islam was force. This is indeed an age-old allegation, the root of
which kept on growing with hatred against Islam, to stop the progress of truth,
peace and harmony.
Islam never advocated compulsion. If the Holy Quran, the
books of Hadith and historical records are carefully examined, studied and
listened to attentively, as far as possible, one is bound to reach one positive
conclusion. That conclusion is that the allegation that Islam permitted the use
of sword - or any other armament for that matter - for the spread of religion
is shameless and utterly unfounded. This, in fact, is the view held by only
those who have not studied the Holy Quran or the Traditions or other reliable
sources of Islamic history without prejudice.
Some have even gone to the extent
of fabricating lies and levying unfounded charges upon Islam without
inhibition. I know that the time is approaching fast when those who are
hungry and thirsty for Truth will see through their deception.
Can a religion
be described as a religion of compulsion when its Holy Book, the Quran, has
categorically prohibited the use of force for the spread of faith? So says the
Holy Quran: There is NO COMPULSION in religion.
(2: 257).
Can we accuse that great prophet of using force against
others, who for thirteen years, day and night, exhorted all his companions in
Mecca not to return evil for evil but to forbear and forgive. When, however,
the mischief of the enemy exceeded all limits and when the various peoples
around him made determined efforts to exterminate Islam, God’s attribute that
He always defends His beloved one so demanded, “Let those who raised the sword perish by the sword.”