Islam spread by the sword? The myth and the reality

Please, no flaming or silly posts. Quote from Shawn Hogan: "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it (you will be banned)." Any post that breaches this will be reported.

Among the most widely believed myths about Islam in the West today is the myth of forcible conversion to Islam. Many Westerners do believe that Islam is so widespread in the world today simply because of a "holy campaign of terror" carried out by the early Muslims to convert non-Muslims to Islam. Non-Muslims were offered the freedom to choose either Islam or death.

In a discussion with a Baptist Minister he said to me that "Muslims tend to kill non-Muslims and anyone who disagrees with them". In a syndicated column appearing in over 30 papers (on July 23rd, 1994) entitled, "Muslim persecution of Christians increasing" the author blames many Muslims countries for persecuting Christians then he quotes the Qur'an, "There is no compulsion in Religion" and ends the quote by rudely writing "Really?".

How to confront such misconceptions? First, there is no need for us to be apologetic. We Muslims should search for the truth and present it as it is. This is how we have been instructed by Allah (SWT) "Say: the truth from your Lord and let him who will believe and let him who will reject."(18:29) Islam is the religion of the Truth. The Qur'an is the book of the Truth. "We sent down the Qur'an in Truth and in Truth has it descended." (17:105) "Put your trust in Allah for you are on the path of the manifest Truth."(27:79)

Therefore, we should ask ourselves first, before we are asked by anyone else, what is the truth? Did Muslims really force others to convert to Islam? Is there any evidence for consistent forcible conversion throughout the Islamic history? As a matter of fact, there is no such evidence anywhere in the history of Islam. Many distinguised Western historians have attested this fact-- foremost among whom is Sir Thomas W. Arnold in his book, "The Preaching of Islam". Also there is Marshall G. Hodgson in his book, "The Venture of Islam", Albert Hourani in his book, "A History of the Arab People", Ira Lapidus in his book, "History of Islamic Societies", L.S. Starorianos in his book, "A Global Hisotry, the Human Heritage" and many others. In fact, there is substantial evidence to the contrary. We have already seen in a previous *khutbah* that Muslims were often seen as liberators of the oppressed people everywhere.

The question that remains to be answered is why then so many people have chosen Islam throughout the more than 1400 years of its history. Islam has penetrated the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, West Africa, East Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan, India, Western China, and the Malay archipelago. Islam in all these regions replaced so many other well-established religions: Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism and animism. What are the reasons behind the triumph of Islam over all these religions in so many different places at so many different times?

First and foremost, Islam is an amazing blend of simplicity and rationality: a very simple religion yet very rational at the same time. Professor Hodgson has explained the reasons for the popularity of Islam as follows: "Muslims made a personal appeal to people's religious consciousness. On the level of straight argument, they often put forward the populistic intelligibility of Islam. Muslims commonly ridiculed, in the name of intellectual good sense, the more mythically convoluted teachings of older traditions. This could seem attractively straightforward to people dissatisfied with taking things on faith from a learned priest whose mysteries they could not comprehend. A single Creator, to be worshipped by each person for himself, on the basis of revelation that had been given to a famous prophet whom millions already acknolwedged. This was at once intelligible and plausible."

The unambiguous and uncompromising belief in the Unity, the Greatness, the Wisdom of God, the Creator of the universe, is unparalleled among other religions. The French professor Edouard Montet said, "The dogma of the unity of God...has always been proclaimed in the Qur'an with a grandeur, a majesty, an invariable purity and with a note of pure conviction which is hard to find surpassed outside the pale of Islam. A creed so precise, so stripped of all theological complexities and so accessible to the ordinary understanding might be expected to possess and does indeed possess a marvellous power of winning its way into the consciences of men."

Besides its simple and rational creed, Islam offers an impressive set of rituals which has gained the admiration and, subsequently, the conversion of many non-Muslims. The second pillar of Islam, **salah**, the prayer, has been described as follows by Sir Arnold, "The religion of the Muslim is continuously present with him and, in the daily prayer, manifests itself in a solemn and impressive ritual which cannot leave either the worshipper or the spectator unaffected." Then Sir Arnold narrated the story of an Egyptian Jew who converted to Islam at the end of the 13th century mainly because of the sight of the **Juma'a** prayer. Actually, it is not only in the 13th century that people converted to Islam because of the prayers; it just happened a few years ago in Ottawa that a non-Muslim Canadian woman converted to Islam because of **Juma'a** prayers. She used to go to the Ottawa Mosque on Friday and pray among the sisters for several months. She loved the prayer and eventually she embraced Islam.

In addition to the prayers, the other pillars of Islam, **Zakah**, **Hajj**,**Siyam**, have always been factors in attracting many hearts to Islam. Up until the present day, one still meets converts who were impressed by the social justice of Islam brilliantly expressed in the payment of **Zakah**. The genius of **Hajj** and **Siyam** has always been a determining factor in the conversion of many people. It is this union of rationalism and ritualism that explains the power that Islam has exercised over the hearts and minds of so many people. Islam simply gives the truth, neat and clear in a visible and tangible form. The neatness and clarity of Islam was presented to human beings in the form of a miraculous book, the Qur'an. The marvellous power and beauty of the words of the Qur'an have always been a decisive factor in conversion to Islam. The famous Jewish American convert to Islam, Maryam Jameelah, cited the Qur'an as the major factor of her conversion. After a deep study of both the Old Testament and the Qur'an, the contrast between the two scriptures became increasingly evident to her until she firmly believed that the Qur'an was indeed God's message to the human race.

A conference of Christian missionaries in 1887 was discussing why Islam has almost swept away Crhistianity from the Middle East. What did Islam offer these people to forsake Christianity for good? One of the missionaries was insightful enough to say the following: "Islam brought out the fundamental dogmas of the Unity and Greatness of God, that He is mindful and Righteous. It proclaimed the responsibility of man, a future life, a Day of Judgement and stern retribution to fall upon the wicked, and enforced the duties of prayer, alms-giving and fasting. It replaced monkishness by manliness, it gave hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind and recognition to the fundamental facts of human nature."

The formidable rationalism, ritualism and clarity of Islam did not only lead the Christians of the Middle East to forsake Christianity and embrace Islam in the past. It continues to do so with Christinas in the West to the presnt day. An Australian-born Christain who converted to Islam four months ago and who was studying here with us at Queen's wrote in her story of conversion to Islam, "Christianity continued to be difficult for me. So much didn't make sense, the trinity, the idea that Jesus was God incarnate, the worship of Mary, the Saints, or jesus, rather than God. The priests told me to leave reason behind". The she went on to say, "Could Muhammad really be a messenger? Could the Qur'an be God's word? I kept reading the Qur'an, it told me that Eve wasn't alone to blame for the fall, that Jesus was a messenger, that people would question the authenticity of Muhammad's claim to revelation but that if they tried to write something as wise, consistent and rational they would fail. This seemed true. Islam asked me to use my intelligence to contemplate God, it encouraged me to seek knowledge." Then at the end of her sincere search for the truth she prayed to God saying, "Dear God, I believe in You, I believe in the compelling and majestic words of the Qur'an and I believe in the prophethood of your messenger Muhammad (SAW)."

Another Muslim sister, from California, who was a practising Christian and an active member in her nearby Presbyterian church, wrote in her conversion story that despite her active affiliation with the church, she always had serious questions about the fundamentlas of Chrsitianity which did not make sense to her. She debated her questions with her friends but never came up with good answers. The church couldn't give them good answers either, they only told them to "have faith". All her questions were answered when she took a course about Islam. Listen to her own words. "This class brought back all of the concerns that I had about Christianity. As I learned about Islam, all my questions were answered. All of us are not punished for Adam's original sin. Adam asked God for forgiveness and our merciful, loving God forgave him. God doesn't require a blood sacrifice in payment for sin. We must sincerely ask for forgiveness and amend our ways. Jesus wasn't God, he was a prophet like all of the other prophets. This answered all of my questions about the trinity and the nature of Jesus. I found a teaching that put everything in its proper perspective and appealed to my heart and my intellect. It seemed natural. It wasn't confusing. I had been searching and I had found a place to rest my faith."

My dear brothers and sisters, Islam is so strong and so self-assured that it does not need to use force to attract others to it. The moral and intellectual superiority of Islam over all other religions has manifested itself so clearly throughout the history of Islam. Despite all of the ills of Muslims everywhere, Islam continues to be the fastest growing religion on earth. Professor Huston Smith of the MIT in his book, "The Religions of Man" says, "In some areas where Islam and Christianity are competing for converts, Islam is gaining at a rate of 10 to 1."

Ambassador Herman Ellis, in a testimony in front of the committee on Foreign Affirs of the House of Represntatives of the United States Congress on June 24th, 1985, said, "The Muslim community of the globe today is in the neighbourhood of one billion. That is an impressive figure. But what to me is equally impressive is that Islam today is the fastest growing monotheistic religion. This is something we have to take into account. Something is right about Islam. It is attracting a good many people."

Yes, something is right about Islam and that's why it has attracted so many people throughout its 1400 years of history.

 

The (non-Muslim) historian De Lacy O' Leary wrote: "History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islaam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever accepted." (Islaam at the Crossroads, London, 1923, p. 8.).

 

Right! We all know it is the religon of peace that condems violence and treats the female segment equally and with great respect.

 

heat, I'm heading out, so won't be able to say much beyond this:

The entire timbre of your thread begs the question. There is a difference between taking issue with something, which may not be comfortable, and simply posting to bait. If someone believes, for instance, as I do, that there is a problem with the way women are generally treated inside Islamic theocracies as they are administered today, then let's discuss it, civilly and without pre-conceived rancor on either side. If you simply equate "civil" with "utter agreement," then I'm afraid I don't understand the nature of your thread. You have made a statement, and it merits evaluation.

More later. Peace.

 

If we don't say positive/nice things we are theatened with being banned? How very Islamic of you.


I just ask WWMD? If Muhammad would murder, rape and ban people in his time for being disagreeable then ergo> Islam in general would do the same. I think Muslims are the same as everyone else; they are people. My only problem is with Islam and Muhammad.

That is about as nice as it gets, thank you very much for your question.

 

Disagreeing is fine but randomly jabbing and bashing insults is not.

 

One more point:

Christianity has attracted many more people so it must be more right than Islam if Christianity is right Islam has to be wrong.

But: If the point is some things in Islam are good, I would agree with that. Gotta love those Mosques, discipline in prayer and dedication to Allah.

 

Christianity was spread by the sword now that's a fact just look at all the christian empires.

 

Of course muslims did not make ultimatum to local population : either you convert or die.
But they did make lives of those who did not convert miserable by taking all the rights and give rights to those who converted. Took higher taxes, food from the ones that did not want to convert. Local muslim leaders without blinking eye killed people they thought deserve to be dead, etc. They didn't kill people on large scale but they had their oppressing ways to convert local population that was scared of muslim sword

Of course those were dark ages and everybody oppressed everybody at the end...

 

If that's a myth, then USA never invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. Well, how do you like that? I have got sick of lies on this forum supporting the religion of peace!

 

What is your problem hehe
Please tell us more what has invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan has to do with spreading islam ?

 

Correct. Personally I blame the Old Testament. In the O.T. God comes over as a right evil tyrant; always smiting and destroying and urging people onto conquest. Muslims look positively peaceful in comparison. Modern Christians have, thankfully, largely abandoned it's rabid teachings.

 

It is not some peace of paper fault. Those were just that kind of times

What peace of paper did Rome had that told them to spread their empire around and conquer everyone on their way.

 

Islam has more than reasons to spread its wings.
Each society has few evil doer's, and because of them the whole society gets bashing.
If any individual understands the concept of Islam and preachings of Mohammad (PBUH), he would never even think of terrorizing the world.

 

Oh I agree, the O.T. is 'of its era' and should be treated as such. It's when people start trying to re-enact it that I get twitchy ...

 

Thats very true, if a person can live regarding the Quran and Sunnah then everything will be great, mentally and physically.

 

Unfortunately your imams have other agendas. People are sheeps and they don't follow written word but they follow leaders. And some of your imams are pretty much jerks and spread hatred all around. Seen it with my own eyes

But people let's get back to the topic and don't let this thread become another muslim vs christianity vs the rest of the world...

 

So if Mohammed is the perfect example for everyone, is it ok then to have 4 wives and as young as 8 years old? Should every man follow this example?

You claim you're not judging the guy. I agree. You're sticking up for him and a practice which allows fully grown man to marry 8 (eight) year old girls. I get the point you need to express an opinion but at least think before you express it But you still did not answer the question. Forget about religios so to speak, but by way of deduction, should you claim that guy is an example for all generations? Oh yes, bring up the usual muslim excuse: "It's hate that makes you point to the faults of Islam" No one can comment on Islam without being labelled as a hater.

 

I totally agree with you on this.
Islam is being politicized under the name of religion.
We should gather enough knowledge and try to preach the truth instead of spreading hatredness and false claims.

Back to the topic, sorry for intruding

 

Ancient Greek scholars are praised by all and still they were gays, pedophiles, killers and what not.

No my friend you should think before makind yourself look completely stupid and project moral values from dark, medieval times to present time.
You are twisting things. Of course the guy that is by todays standards pedophile cannot be example for today people.
I am no muslim. I am christian so that pathetic way of yours about muslim excuse does not dring water. And yes as a christian I can see that you are either hater by default or stupid and ignorant. You are like a drunk guy holding to something so that you don't fall.
And you fell my friend this time by your lame knowledge of the world, history and understanding...