Please forgive us for any disturbance, but we have an important subject
to address to you regarding FAITH, and we Don't intend to overload your email
with unnecessary messages...

Did Islam spread by force, swords or guns?

The unequivocal and emphatic answer is NO! The Qur'an declares:“ Let there be no
compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is
distinctly clear from error” (Qur'an 2:256).

Here is a good study of the question of the spread of Islam by a Christian
missionary, T.W. Arnold:"... of any organized attempt to force the acceptance of
Islam on the non-Muslim population, or of any systematic persecution intended to
stamp out the Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to
adopt either course of action, they might have swept away Christianity as easily
as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain, or Louis XIV made
Protestantism penal in France, or the Jews were kept out of England for 350
years. The Eastern Churches in Asia were entirely cut off from communion with
the rest of Christiandom throughout which no one would have been found to lift a
finger on their behalf, as heretical communions. So that the very survival of
these Churches to the present day is a strong proof of the generally tolerant
attitude of the Mohammedan [sic] governments towards them" (Emphasis added).

Islam does not teach nor do Muslims desire conversion of any people for fear,
greed, marriage or any other form of coercion.

In conclusion, jihad in Islam is striving in the way of Allah by pen, tongue,
hand, media and, if inevitable, with arms. However, jihad in Islam does not
include striving for individual or national power, dominance, glory, wealth,
prestige or pride.

What should Muslims do when they are victorious?

Muslims should remove tyranny, treachery, bigotry, and ignorance and replace
them with justice and equity. We should provide truthful knowledge and free
people from the bondage of associationism (shirk or multiple gods), prejudice,
superstition and mythology. Muslims remove immorality, fear, crime, exploitation
and replace them with divine morality, peace and education. The Qur'an
declares:“ Lo! Allah commands you that you restore deposits to their owners, and
if you judge between mankind that you judge justly. Lo! It is proper that Allah
admonishes you. Lo! Allah is ever Hearer, Seer” (Qur'an 4:58).


“ O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah's witnesses to fair dealing, and
let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from
justice. Be just: that is next to Piety and fear Allah. And Allah is well
acquainted with all that you do” (Qur'an 5:8).

“ And of those whom We have created there is a nation who guides with the Truth
and establishes justice with it” (Qur'an 7:181).

“ Lo! Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbids
lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorts you in order that you may
take heed” (Qur'an 16:90).

“ Those who, if We give them power in the land, establish prescribed prayers
(salah) and pay the poor-due (zakah) and enjoin right conduct and forbid evil.
And with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs” (Qur'an 22:41).



For more information about Islam:
http://www.geocities.com/saael303/1.html