One of the bizarre myths perpetuated about Islam, during the centuries of mistrust during and after the Crusades, is that Muslim armies forced people to accept Islam at the point of the sword. Unfortunately this myth survives to this day.Many Western scholars have now repudiated this myth. The great historian De Lacy O’Leary wrote in “Islam At the Cross-roadsâ€: “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.†Indeed, it is a historical fact, that Islam spread much faster during periods of peace than in periods of war. Islam continued to spread, as it does now, when Muslims were not prevailing economically, socially or politically. History of Tolerance and Mutual Respect The Glorious Qur’an says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error†[Al-Qur'an 2:256] Traditionally Muslims have treated other religions with respect, even when they were in a position to use force. Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. During these 800 years, until Muslims were finally forced out by the crusaders, non-Muslims flourished in Spain. Muslims have ruled Arabia for 1400 years, except for brief periods of British and French rule. Yet there are today 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians whose families have been Christians going back several generations. The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. They had the power to forcibly convert each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India is non-Muslim. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness to the fact that Islam was not spread by the sword. Thomas Arnold, a former Christian missionary in India, who cannot be accused of being pro-Islam, in his famous book ‘The Preaching of Islam’, indicates that there have been certain periods where Muslim rulers have diverted from this tolerance, but it was due to a deviation from Islamic principles, rather than conformance to them. He concludes that the two primary reasons for the spread of Islam all over the world were merchants and the Sufis, two groups of people who went out, worked with humanity and gently invited others to their faith. Legal Safeguards for non-Muslims under Islamic Law The Quran and Sunnah (Traditions of the Prophet) explicitly dictate regulations and rights for the protection of non-Muslim minorities living under the rule of Islam. The Prophet even said that if a Muslim hurts a covenanted person (i.e. a non-Muslim living under the rule of Islam) or commits any injustice to him, then on the Day of Judgment the Prophet (pbuh) would be the advocate on behalf of the non-Muslim against the Muslim. What would be the sense and need for all of these prescriptions and advice, if Islam required that they be compelled to accept the religion? The Rapid Spread of Islam An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’ magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased only by 47%. May one ask, “Which war took place in this century which converted millions of people to Islam?†Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. May one ask, “Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia, and to the East coast of Africa?†http://southernmuslimah.wordpress.com/2007/08/15/was-islam-spread-by-the-sword/ Today the fastest growing religion in America and in Europe is Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?
Did we really need another thread: Is Islam spread with the help of sword? Islam spread by the sword? The myth and the reality
Yeah I felt we did actually, since Ckrismoney is on the loose. There are a few extra facts in this one that I felt should be established.
In Iran, Covert Christian Converts Live With Secrecy and Fear A draft Iranian law would mandate the death penalty for apostasy TEHRAN, IRAN—Illyas, 20, precariously straddles two worlds. At home with his family, he's a devout Christian who wears a silver cross around his neck, devotionally reads the Bible, and, on the Sabbath, hums hymns of praise to Jesus. Easter and Christmas are celebrated with homemade grape wine, even though alcohol is banned in Iran. Publicly, though, Illyas is a devout Muslim. Before leaving home to attend university classes, he removes the cross. He falsely tells his teachers about reading the Koran regularly since, he says, expressing fealty to Islam is necessary to land a good job in Iran. And he regularly goes to Friday prayers at Tehran University, where, if necessary, he joins in chants of Marg-bar Amrika (Death to America)—although he says that he doesn't hate America and, in fact, hopes to move there someday. Illyas and his mother and stepfather—for their safety, their family name cannot be revealed—had been Muslims ________ The pretend to be Muslims for fear of their safety. How you can post this with a straight face when countries like Iran are now, in this modern age, proposing the death penalty for converts form Islam. Seems like you want to ignore reality.
Thank you for spamming my thread, it is a draft law, you really wouldn't want me to post all the draft laws in congress that are rediculous. There is already a thread for that. Back on topic
Conspiracy theorists. Do you actually have any factual evidence that Islam was spread by the sword, or is it just one of your many conspiracies that have no weight? Muslims ruled spain for 800 years, why are they not all Muslims?
KAREN ARMSTRONG: There is far more violence in the Bible than in the Qur'an; the idea that Islam imposed itself by the sword is a Western fiction, fabricated during the time of the Crusades when, in fact, it was Western Christians who were fighting brutal holy wars against Islam. The Qur'an forbids aggressive warfare and permits war only in self-defence; the moment the enemy sues for peace, the Qur'an insists that Muslims must lay down their arms and accept whatever terms are offered, even if they are disadvantageous. Later, Muslim law forbade Muslims to attack a country where Muslims were permitted to practice their faith freely; the killing of civilians was prohibited, as were the destruction of property and the use of fire in warfare.
CITYTOWN, USA — Joe, 20, precariously straddles two worlds. At home, he's a practicing panentheistic Wiccan who wears a silver pentacle around his neck, devotionally writes his book of shadow, and, on the Sabbath, hums hymns of praise to the nature of existence. Spring equinox and winter solstice are celebrated with cannabis and sativa, even though marijuana is banned in America. Publicly, though, Joe is a devout Christian. Before leaving home to attend university classes, he puts on a cross. He falsely tells his teachers about reading the Bible regularly since, he says, expressing fealty to Christianity is necessary to land a good job in America. Just saying.
Three cheers for Korr for pointing out the fact that religious persecution is not just a Middle Eastern phenomenon these days.
How did he make that point? Making up a little story is proof of nothing but his own story telling skills.
Sell your twisted crap on someone else. Aren't you late for a rant about bilderberg, 9-11, the FED, AIPAC, feminism, Obama, or Israel? You are just a sad paranoid tool. I guess you are too close to notice that aside from the bigots and easily fooled on this forum everyone with a clear thought - from the right or the left - has concluded you are just a loud mouth ranting lunatic.
browntwn spamming threads again, I hope you read the thread topic, its talking about the myth of Islam being spread by sword, and you are now posting about a law project in Iran related to apostasy, to prove that Islam was spread by sword, let me use your own word, you are pathetic.
browntwn is bluffing... Thats normal... no change there... I believe it would be better if everyone showed compassion and understanding instead of attacking Religions. browntwn seems to be out there only to score brownie points by attacking and maligning Islam and Muslims on every occasion, in every possible way. I know and understand he does not represent the best in America. He gives the impression that he is just a loud mouth ranting lunatic.