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How can one love religion that was spread by the use of sword?!
Opinion of De Lacy O'Leary The best reply to misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy o'Leary in the book 'Islam at the cross road' (page 8): »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 fanatically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated«.
Muslims in Spain. Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.
14 milion Arabs are Coptic Christians Muslims were lords of Arabia for more or less 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 MILLION ARABS who are COPTIC CHRISTIANS i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.
Non Muslims in India. The Muslims ruled India for about one thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power and time of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of population in India are non – Muslims. All these non – Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.
Indonesia and Malaysia Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, » Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?!«
East coast of Africa Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was sperad by the sword, »Which Muslim army went to East Coast of Africa?!«
Thomas Carlyle The famos historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book ''Heroes and Hero worship'', refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: »The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in a minority of one. In one man's head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all man. 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.«
No compulsion in religion With wich sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it, they could not use it to spread Islam becouse the Qur-an says the following verse:
»Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error« [Al-Qur'an 2:256].
Sword of Intellect It is the sword of intellect that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Quran says:
»Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.« [Al-Qur'an 16:125]
Increase in the wold religions from 1934 to 1984. An article in Reader's Digest 'Almcanac' year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage of the mayor religions of the world in a half century from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in 'The Plain Truth' magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235% and Christianity had increased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted millions of people to Islam?
Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion in Europe is Islam. Which sword is forcing the people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?
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