In a video titled “They Lied to Me About Islam,” an American woman spoke about some of the lies propagated to her about Islam, which she later discovered to be false through her reading of the Quran and the Prophet's Hadiths. What she found was not a religion that incites violence, but one that forbids aggression against the innocent, prohibits the killing of women, children, and the elderly, grants non-Muslims the freedom to practice their beliefs, protects their places of worship, and emphasizes peaceful coexistence among people, regardless of their religious differences. In fact, Islam is a religion that even shows mercy to animals, respects the environment, and advocates for its preservation!

Despite all the Quranic and prophetic texts, as well as historical evidence attesting to Islam’s tolerance and virtue, it has always been accused of being a religion of terrorism and violence, one that supposedly spread only through bloodshed and war, and that Muslim conquests forced people into accepting Islam by the sword.

Islam is the Religion of Peace

How can those who claim that Islam spread by the sword explain its arrival in South India, the coasts of China, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Malay Peninsula, and even the depths of Africa—Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Madagascar? Were there armies wielding swords over the people of these lands? No! Islam did not need military force to spread; rather, it spread through the honest conduct of Muslim merchants and preachers who carried the light of faith in their hearts and reflected it in their sincerity, integrity, and loyalty. They became the reason for many people’s guidance. As the historian Thomas Carlyle once said, “That he takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.”

This is proven by modern statistics—Islam was the fastest-growing religion in the 20th century, surpassing Christianity by a significant margin. This fact alone refutes the baseless allegations that Islam spread through force. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson expressed this by saying, “People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day Muhammed (pbuh) was born.”

The concept of strength has always been linked to maintaining peace. Not all people seek stability; some work to destabilize it for their own interests. That is why Islam permits the use of force against oppression—but only within strict ethical guidelines aimed at establishing justice without violating the rights of others. One of the strongest arguments against the myth that Islam spread by the sword is what the British orientalist De Lacy O’Leary stated: “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 myth that historians have ever repeated.”

Muslims ruled Andalusia for centuries without forcing anyone to convert to Islam, whereas the Spanish Inquisition later eradicated Islam from the region. Similarly, millions of Christian Arabs remained in the Arabian Peninsula despite over a thousand years of Muslim rule, and even in India, after centuries of Muslim governance, the non-Muslim majority remained intact, with no forced conversions.

Islam’s Approach in Da’wah

The Quran clearly defines Islam’s approach to calling people to the faith: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.” (An-Nahl: 125) Da’wah with wisdom means persuading the intellect with evidence, good instruction means touching hearts with kindness, and arguing in the best manner refers to respectful dialogue that does not drive people away.

This was the method of the prophets. They addressed their people with gentleness and compassion. As for example, Prophet Salih said to his people: “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.” (Al-A’raf: 73) Similarly, Prophet Ibrahim addressed his father with words dripping with kindness: “O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to an even path.” (Maryam: 43) The prophets never humiliated or attacked their opponents. This was also the approach of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ toward non-Muslims.

Allah sent His Prophet as a mercy to all of creation. He was the optimal example of noble character in all his interactions, with Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Jabir ibn Abdullah narrated: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was an easygoing man.” Imam An-Nawawi commented: “Meaning, he was gentle in character, noble in demeanor, and gentle in his conduct.”

His mercy manifested in all kinds of situations and extended to everyone. Allah says, “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Al-Anbiya: 107) He called for compassion for all people, saying: “Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.” He did not specify a race, religion, or sect—his mercy encompassed all of humanity, even animals. He said: “If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity.”

One of his greatest manifestations of tolerance was on the Day of the Conquest of Mecca. Despite being in a position of power over those who had persecuted him and expelled him from his homeland, he did not seek revenge. Instead, he told them: “Go, for you are free.” He visited non-Muslims, cared for their sick, as in the hadith narrated by Anas: “A Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet (ﷺ) and became ill. The Prophet (ﷺ) went to pay him a visit.” He also interacted with them in trade. His shield was once pawned with a Jewish man, and he encouraged maintaining family ties even with non-Muslim relatives, as seen when he instructed Asma bint Abi Bakr to uphold ties with her non-Muslim mother.

In Medina, he established a constitution ensuring peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Jews. He never fought them until they violated the peace agreement. Those who remained peaceful were met with justice and respect.

The era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs followed the Prophet’s guidance. They cared for non-Muslim citizens, the needy and the elderly included, ensuring their well-being. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq used to advise his army: “You will pass by people who have dedicated themselves to worship in monasteries—leave them alone and do not destroy their places of worship.” In the era of the Abbasids, Judge Abu Yusuf advised the ruler Harun al-Rashid: “It is incumbent upon you, O Commander of the Faithful—may Allah support you—to take the initiative in showing kindness to the people under the covenant of your Prophet Muhammad, to look after their affairs so that they are neither wronged nor harmed, not burdened beyond their capacity, and that nothing is taken from their wealth except what is rightfully due from them.”

No Compulsion in Religion!

Islam has never been a religion of coercion; rather, it is a religion of persuasion. It spread primarily due to the exemplary character of its callers before their arguments, and because of its justice before its strength. Allah says, “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.” (Al-Baqarah: 256) Islamic history testifies that Muslims never forced anyone, at any point in time, to abandon their faith. It was never known that Muslims oppressed Jews, Christians, or others, nor did they ever compel any group to embrace Islam. This is confirmed by the orientalist Thomas Arnold, who stated: “We have never heard of any deliberate attempt to force non-Muslims to accept Islam, nor of any organized persecution aimed at exterminating the Christian religion.” For this reason, Islamic jurists affirmed that Islam is not valid if accepted under coercion. Ibn Qudamah mentioned in Al-Mughni: “If someone is forced to accept Islam when it is not permissible to do so—such as a dhimmi (non-Muslim under Muslim protection) or a musta’min (non-Muslim foreigner temporarily residing in Muslim lands)—and his conversion, his Islam is not valid until he expresses his faith willingly.”

Moreover, the Quran affirms that Allah never intended for His creation to believe through force, but rather through reflection and contemplation. Had He willed for faith to be compulsory, He would have made all people believers, just as He made the angels. However, He granted them free will and sent messengers to remind them and invite them to ponder the universe and Allah’s creations. Allah says, “And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed - all of them entirely. Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers?” (Yunus: 99) This is the divine way in creation—Allah willed that people differ in their beliefs and ideas. He says, “And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ. Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them.” (Hud: 118-119)

Peace: An Islamic Distinction

Peace holds a high status in Islam, as reflected in its frequent mention in the Quran and Hadith, underscoring its significance as a fundamental value in every Muslim’s life. Allah, the Almighty, even made “As-Salam” (The Giver of Peace) one of His Beautiful Names, as He says, “He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection.” (Al-Hashr: 23) This signifies that Islam, at its core, is a message of peace, aimed at establishing tranquility and stability in human life. It is no surprise, then, that Allah calls Paradise “Dar As-Salam” (the Home of Peace), as mentioned in the Qur’an: “And Allah invites to the Home of Peace.” (Yunus: 25) Islam encourages its followers to adopt peace in all aspects of life, as seen in the divine command: “O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Al-Baqarah: 208) Here, Islam links the rejection of peace with following the footsteps of Satan, who always seeks to spread enmity and division among people.

Peace in Islam is also a daily practice that reflects a Muslim’s identity and relationships with others. It is the universal greeting among Muslims across all times and places and is repeated in daily prayers, making peace an inseparable part of worship and conduct. Not only that, but Islam also made peace a key to entering homes, not only among Muslims but for all people. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “If anyone from among Allah’s creation greets you, then return the greeting, even if he is a Magian.” This is in accordance with Allah’s command: “And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner].” (An-Nisa: 86)

As a religion of peace in its essence and history, Islam began with gentleness and persuasion. The revelation came to the Prophet ﷺ addressing his intellect and reasoning, and his message was never founded on violence. From the moment he arrived in Madinah, he swiftly laid the foundations of social harmony through the Constitution of Madinah, which recognized Muslims, Jews, and others as one unified nation, based on righteousness, sincere counsel, and the defense of the oppressed.

Islam did not merely establish peace among individuals but also institutionalized it across time and space. It designated four sacred months each year, during which fighting is prohibited. Allah says, “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth.” (At-Tawbah: 36) Additionally, Islam forbade fighting in the two sacred cities, Makkah and Madinah, making them sanctuaries of safety and peace. The Prophet ﷺ said: “I have declared sacred what is between the two lava grounds of Medina just as Ibrahim (peace be upon him) declared Mecca as sacred.”

Why, then, was Jihad Legislated?

Jihad in Islam was legislated as a means of self-defense, to protect the weak, repel injustice and tyranny, and safeguard honor and wealth—not as a means of aggression, oppression, or forcing people into Islam. This is clearly stated in Allah’s words: “And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, ‘Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people.’” (An-Nisa: 75)

Fighting in Islam is linked to the eradication of injustice and the defense of the oppressed. This was evident in the life of the Prophet ﷺ. War was never an objective in itself, but rather a necessary measure to remove oppression and aggression. For instance, in the Battle of Badr, the aim was not bloodshed but to reclaim the wealth and rights of Muslims that had been unjustly seized by Quraysh. In the battles of Uhud and the Trench, the Prophet ﷺ preferred defensive strategies with minimal casualties, demonstrating that Islam does not seek war but aims to establish security and peace. In Uhud, he favored remaining in Madinah to minimize losses, and in the Trench, he adopted a defensive approach to disperse the enemy without direct confrontation, preventing unnecessary bloodshed.

Had the objective been to force people into Islam, as they claimed, non-Muslims would not have lived peacefully under the Islamic state while retaining their faiths and places of worship.

Thus, anyone who examines this honorable history will find only justice, tolerance, and peace that spread across the world, paving the way for a flourishing Islamic civilization that became a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment.

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• Mahasin al-Islam Encyclopedia
• Alukah.net
• Islamweb
• Islamic Research Foundation