A fact-based exposition on Islamic conquests and peaceful propagation
A superficial reading of Islamic history often leads to the assumption that once Muslims gain power, they are obligated to spread Islam by the sword. However, the truth is quite the opposite. The Islamic state has consistently sought to extend its influence through peaceful preaching and invitation (da‘wah) based on the principle of “Iʿlā Kalimatullāh” (exalting the word of Allah). The Prophet ﷺ and the rightly guided Caliphs set clear precedents in this regard.
Below are the three primary modes through which Islam historically spread during the best generations of Muslims:
<➊> Collective Acceptance of Islam through Invitation
When an entire society, like the Ansar of Madinah, collectively accepts Islam through peaceful invitation, there is no need for confrontation.
<➋> Ending Hostility and Choosing Peace
If a group previously hostile to Islam (like the Quraysh of Makkah) chooses to cease opposition and hostility, Muslims are commanded to maintain peace and avoid conflict.
<➌> War Only to Remove Obstacles
If a government or power becomes a military barrier to the preaching of Islam—as the empires of Rome and Persia did—then warfare is undertaken only to remove such obstacles, not for forced conversions or indiscriminate bloodshed.
Islamic jurists have declared war permissible only under the following conditions:
➤ A state becomes a barrier to the message of Islam.
➤ It prevents Islam from being presented as universal truth.
➤ It refuses to coexist peacefully with Muslims.
In such cases, when all peaceful avenues are exhausted, the Islamic state may resort to military action solely to deliver Allah’s message to humanity, without any selfish motive. This is grounded in pure justice.
The goal was to remove political oppression and liberate people, not convert them forcibly.
Example: In Spain, the governor of Ceuta, Count Julian, invited Muslims to save his people from a tyrant. Muslims responded not with cruelty, but with education, civilization, and justice.
Even after 800 years of Muslim rule in Spain, Christian majority remained, showing no forced conversions occurred.
In contrast, when Christians took power, Muslims were either killed or forcibly converted.
Whenever Muslims ruled, they provided:
✔ Full rights to non-Muslim citizens
✔ Peace, justice, and development
✔ Educational and economic progress
✔ No compulsion in religion
Muslim rulers governed with equity, and never imposed Islam by force.
However, when Muslims lost power, they suffered both political defeat and persecution by other nations.
Islam’s objective has always been to convey the message of Allah without coercion.
The accusation that Islam spread by the sword is a misrepresentation and propaganda.
Islamic wars were meant only to remove hindrances, and never aimed at forced conversion of the masses.
❖ The Truth About the Spread of Islam
A superficial reading of Islamic history often leads to the assumption that once Muslims gain power, they are obligated to spread Islam by the sword. However, the truth is quite the opposite. The Islamic state has consistently sought to extend its influence through peaceful preaching and invitation (da‘wah) based on the principle of “Iʿlā Kalimatullāh” (exalting the word of Allah). The Prophet ﷺ and the rightly guided Caliphs set clear precedents in this regard.
Below are the three primary modes through which Islam historically spread during the best generations of Muslims:
❖ Three Pathways of Islamic Expansion
<➊> Collective Acceptance of Islam through Invitation
When an entire society, like the Ansar of Madinah, collectively accepts Islam through peaceful invitation, there is no need for confrontation.
<➋> Ending Hostility and Choosing Peace
If a group previously hostile to Islam (like the Quraysh of Makkah) chooses to cease opposition and hostility, Muslims are commanded to maintain peace and avoid conflict.
<➌> War Only to Remove Obstacles
If a government or power becomes a military barrier to the preaching of Islam—as the empires of Rome and Persia did—then warfare is undertaken only to remove such obstacles, not for forced conversions or indiscriminate bloodshed.
❖ Juristic View on Warfare and Justification
Islamic jurists have declared war permissible only under the following conditions:
➤ A state becomes a barrier to the message of Islam.
➤ It prevents Islam from being presented as universal truth.
➤ It refuses to coexist peacefully with Muslims.
In such cases, when all peaceful avenues are exhausted, the Islamic state may resort to military action solely to deliver Allah’s message to humanity, without any selfish motive. This is grounded in pure justice.
❖ Comparing Islamic Conquests and Western Imperialism
➤ Islamic Conquests
The goal was to remove political oppression and liberate people, not convert them forcibly.
Example: In Spain, the governor of Ceuta, Count Julian, invited Muslims to save his people from a tyrant. Muslims responded not with cruelty, but with education, civilization, and justice.
Even after 800 years of Muslim rule in Spain, Christian majority remained, showing no forced conversions occurred.
In contrast, when Christians took power, Muslims were either killed or forcibly converted.
➤ Western Powers
- Christian powers: Attacked Muslim lands like Iraq and Afghanistan on false pretexts (e.g., 9/11, WMDs in Iraq).
- Jewish power: Israel illegally occupied Palestinian land and displaced native Muslim populations.
- Hindu power: India continues to subjugate Kashmiri Muslims.
- Buddhist power: Myanmar has committed horrific atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims.
❖ Features of Islamic Governance
Whenever Muslims ruled, they provided:
✔ Full rights to non-Muslim citizens
✔ Peace, justice, and development
✔ Educational and economic progress
✔ No compulsion in religion
Muslim rulers governed with equity, and never imposed Islam by force.
However, when Muslims lost power, they suffered both political defeat and persecution by other nations.
❖ Conclusion
Islam’s objective has always been to convey the message of Allah without coercion.
The accusation that Islam spread by the sword is a misrepresentation and propaganda.
Islamic wars were meant only to remove hindrances, and never aimed at forced conversion of the masses.
