Over the last few days, I have come across several post that seem to blatantly suggest that Islam was spread with the sword.
I would like to take exception to this assumption. There have been Muslim Rulers and Muslim Invaders just like any other King or Empire. But to say that Islam was spread with a sword is a stretch.
I have a few examples.
1. Egypt - Egypt has been under Muslim Rule for the last 1400 years. Even today, you can find 14 Million Christians in Egypt. If Islam was spead by force, where did these 14 Million (15% of Population)Coptic Christians come from ? Source: Wikipedia.com
2. Spain - Spain was ruled by the Muslims for 800 years before they were driven out. If Islam was spread by sword, do you think that in 800 years, there would be any Non-Muslim in Spain ?
3. India - India was ruled by the Muslims for over 1000 years. But when the greater India was partitioned in 1947, 25% became Pakistan and 75% is what is India today. Think about it, if Islam was spread by sword, don't you think that in a 1000 years there would be more than 25% Muslims ?
4. Indonesia %u2013 Indonesia is the most populous Muslim Country. Which Islamic Army marched unto the shores of Indonesia ?
5. Nigeria %u2013 Islam is one of the 3 prominent religions in Nigeria. Which Muslim Army marched into Nigeria to spread Islam.
RE:Islam Spread by the Sword ?
by Abhinaba Banerjee on Nov 23, 2007 08:58 AM Permalink
THE BIGGEST PROBLEM OF ISLAM is that Muslims are ILLITERATE & therefore IGNORANT leading to ARROGANCE.The so called Secular..sic people (who love Muslim votes)should revolutionise the education system of Muslims, shifting them from Madrasa to Modern education. If Imran loves his Islam then he should take some initiative in this regard. PLEASE DON'T INDULGE IN TALKS WHICH COMPOUND THE PROBLEMS IN ISLAM, TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS IN ISLAM.
RE:Islam Spread by the Sword ?
by imran patel on Nov 23, 2007 07:52 AM Permalink
These are baseless allegation. Allah says in the Holy Quran that There is no compulsion in Islam. With some of my %u201CMis-Guided%u201D fellow Muslim brothers, who are using violence, it is convenient for all non-Muslims to label Muslims are violent and also make the assertion that Islam was spread by sword.
This is a totally Baseless allegation, refuted by Historic facts.
RE:Islam Spread by the Sword ?
by deep dar on Nov 23, 2007 08:03 AM Permalink
Read the Quran and the Hadiths and u will know how Mohammed himself fought with the Jews who used to live in Arabia and Palestine. prophetofdoom.net
RE:Islam Spread by the Sword ?
by Habeeb ur on Nov 23, 2007 08:49 AM Permalink
Your misunderstood. Our holy prophet Mohammed (PBUH) fought with jews thos who breach the agreement and rebles who lived under agreement. I hope is this correct for any ruler or adminstrater