I have noticed that majority of people believe that Islam was spread by force, which is actually nothing but a myth. It has been initiated by people who hate Islam & Muslims, and are being propagated by people who happen to be their followers. This has been done in order to create a situation where each one begins to hate Islam, coz they fear that it might end up in more people accepting Islam and leaving their religion.

Having said that, I accept that there were few Muslims, especially the rulers, who imbibed this myth and acted on it by force or bribe to only get some fame out of it. Unfortunately, they forgot or were ignorant that it is totally prohibited in Islam. And so this small number got highlighted over the many who accepted by their own desire and wish.

We shouldn’t forget that the Muslims, once upon a time, had a vast empire and they were many under their rule like Coptic Christians in the Arab land and those who practice Sanatan Dharm in India. But even today we see the majority still practice their own faiths and so if mass conversion happened due to sword or money then the proportion of population would have been opposite.

The ironical part is that, the more the people tried to defame Islam and tried to ridicule and dishonor the prophet (ﷺ) and some even went on to abuse Allah, naudhubillah (seek refuge in Allah), it ended up in more people accepting Islam and the truth. This happened not only in India but also world wide. And all this got momentum only recently even when we don’t have anyone spreading Islam with sword nor we have any ruler to impose his shrewd tactics.

Today, we are around 2 billion followers of Islam worldwide but the sad part is that not all actually follow the religion in its entirety. They nitpick in this way of life and adjust based on their surroundings and world around!

Firstly I would like to clarify that in Islam we are assigned to call people towards the truth & haq which our Creator has revealed through the blessed lips of our prophet (ﷺ). There is a reason behind it, coz Allah wants us to develop a feeling for our own brothers in humanity to want the same for them what we desire. When we desire for true success, we can only get that when we also desire the same for our brothers. Isn’t that a lesson of humanity where one human cares for others? Not only that, Allah also has advised how to call people towards truth; with wisdom and love and not through hate and spite! He also went onto explain that whether they accept or not, is not in our hands but it’s upto Him. This is nothing but stating that you cannot force anyone to accept who doesn’t want to accept and your role ends when you call & remind them about the existence of Allah and their role in this world.

I agree that many among the Muslims haven’t understood this part and have tried to shove their beliefs on others and that is only due to their shortcomings and immaturity.

I would like to remind everyone that Islam is not about ‘we are better than them’ or ‘superior than others’ but it’s about ‘let me show something that’s good for you.’ The onus is on us to be considerate and compassionate. Don’t forget that someone had shown the same compassion to our fore-fathers and that’s why we have got this religion by birth today, by the mercy of Allah.

Secondly, I would like to inform those who have different beliefs. Don’t think that the motto or goal of this religion is to convert everyone into Islam. As Allah clearly says in the Quran that guidance belongs to Allah, and He alone knows who are the righteous ones and He guides those whom He wills. And even when the prophet (ﷺ) himself didn’t have any say over it, then how can we have any say over it. To be frank, at the time of prophet (ﷺ), his own beloved uncle knew that his nephew was speaking the truth but he didn’t accept the truth coz of his standing in the society. He feared what people will say if he accepts and hence he never accepted even after knowing that it is the truth. That was a lesson for all of us to learn that it is Allah alone who is the owner of all guidance and it is His mercy alone.

Finally, I would advise my brothers in faith that don’t push ur beliefs on them thinking getting them in our faith is our mission. It’s actually a myth again! Our mission is just to know who our Maker is, i.e. to seek the truth & then to convey this message. Once u know the truth then worship Him alone and please Him by living your life in this world based on His rulings. As long as we don’t do that, ask yourselves what example are you setting up for them, to actually love and like this faith? So don’t go over the board and say things which might hurt their sentiments or ridicule their beliefs or Gods they worship, as this is a direct warning from our Maker for us to not cross that boundaries coz they in their ignorance might speak bad about Allah and we might end up being partly responsible for that.

So be considerate and compassionate, and do deeds to please Allah.

© Dr. Nisar Ahmad bin Ibrahim

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My evidence: Interpreted in English as,

(Quran 2:256)
Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

(Quran 69:48-51)
And indeed, Quran is a reminder for the righteous. And indeed, we know among you are deniers. And indeed, it will be cause of regret for the disbelievers. And indeed, it is the truth of certainty!

(Quran 28:56)
Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

(Quran 6:108)
And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do.