How Should One Understand the Claim That Islam Spread by the Sword and Through Wars?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
How should one understand the claim that Islam spread by the sword and through wars, and how can we reconcile this with the perspective of non-Muslims who may feel their lands were invaded?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Thank you for your important question.
Understanding the Claim
The statement that “Islam spread by the sword” is a common misconception. It is true that Muslim empires, like all empires of history, expanded their political rule through battles and conquests. However, what distinguished Muslim rule was that people were not compelled to embrace Islam after conquest. The Quran states clearly: “There is no compulsion in religion. The right way has become distinct from error.” [Quran, 2:256]
Non-Muslim communities under Muslim governance were generally allowed to retain their religions, administer their own communal affairs, and be protected as ahl al-dhimma (protected communities). In most regions, conversion to Islam took place gradually over centuries through da‘wa (proselytization), trade, intermarriage, and the lived example of Muslims.
Historical and Scholarly Perspective
Scholars of Islamic history, such as Marshall Hodgson in ‘The Venture of Islam’, emphasize that Islam’s spread was far more the result of social, cultural, and spiritual attraction than military coercion. Even where Muslims ruled politically, the majority populations often remained non-Muslim for generations before embracing Islam voluntarily.
Reconciling with Non-Muslim Perspectives
Historically, non-Muslims may have viewed the arrival of Muslim armies as an invasion, similar to other historical power shifts. Denying the historical facts is dishonest and does not serve the message of Islam. However, an oversimplified Islamophobic narrative ignores the fact that Islamic law strictly prohibits forced conversions and emphasizes divinely ordained justice in governance. Therefore, the arrival of Muslim armies did not equate to forced conversions.
The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Whoever kills a person who has a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the scent of Paradise, even though its scent can be perceived from a distance of forty years.” [Bukhari]
Practical Guidance
- Upon presenting Islam’s history, it’s essential to recognize its complexity. Avoid presenting overly simple stories that either ignore the period of military expansion or accept the misleading idea that Islam spread solely through force.
- Highlight the core principles: Emphasize Islam’s beliefs and pillars, commitment to freedom of belief, compassion, and justice in governance.
- Promote Da‘wa by embodying good character: The most effective method to challenge misconceptions is to demonstrate Islam through sincerity, kindness, and wisdom. Often, actions speak louder than words or debates from the past.
- When engaging with non-Muslims, listening to their concerns sincerely and with empathy is essential. Then, share Islam’s values and teachings respectfully.
I pray this helps you reconcile the issue with wisdom and equips you with a balanced response. May Allah guide us to present His religion with truth, humility, and excellence.
And Allah knows best.
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[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
