Should Muslims Force Non-Muslims to Accept Islam?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I have read that the Quran says to be harsh to the disbelievers (Qur’an, 9:73). So should muslims force non-muslims to accept Islam?

Answer

I pray you are well. 

No. No one can be forced into accepting Islam, as per the command of the Qur’an: ”There is no compulsion in [accepting] the religion.” (Qur’an, 2:256)

The verse you referred to has a specific historical context, where many tribes of disbelievers had broken treaties they made with the Muslims, which was a treacherous act of war. The believers were commanded to be firm with them. In the end, those tribes willingly accepted Islam without any war.

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[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.