Can Islam be forced on others?

Question

Having accepted that from the Islamic point of view, faith in God is ingrained in human nature, and that it is only the parents and the society that corrupt the soul and divert it from the Right Path, the question comes: Can Islam be imposed forcefully on non-Muslims? Or we may even ask: Is the minor jihãd a means of imposing the faith of Islam on non-Muslims?


I do not intend to get into the issue of the minor jihãd; but, briefly stated, the majority of Sh`iah jurists (mujtahidin) do not believe in initiating a jihãd without the clear permission of an infallible (ma`sum) Imam. Even those who allow the initiation of jihãd, do not believe that jihãd can be used to impose Islam on non-Muslims. At the most, they say that jihãd can be initiated to remove tyranny and oppression from a non-Muslim society in order to eliminate the factors that prevent the Divine message from reaching to the masses. Jihãd cannot be used for imposing Islam on others; it is just for putting an end to the aggression on Muslims or for helping the oppressed non-Muslims. (The history of Muslims bears out this idea; an unbiased historian can clearly separate the spread of the Muslim rule over areas outside Arabia ­by military might­ and the spread of Islam ­without force­ in those same regions.)


The Qur'ãn clearly says that, "There is no compulsion in the religion." (2:256) What this verse actually means is that: "There is no compulsion in (accepting) the religion (of Islam)." Why? The verse continues, "Surely the Right Path is clearly distinct from the crooked path."So Muslims can always show the difference between the right and the wrong paths, but not force the non-Muslims to accept Islam. The Prophet of Islam has also been mentioned as a reminder, not as a person who forces Islam upon others. "Therefore, you remind (them), for you are only a reminder; you are not a watcher over them." (88:21-22)In many other verses, the Prophet is described as "a bearer of good news and a warner of God's punishment." (2:119) His role was just to remind the people about their natural instinct of believing in God. Force is not needed because the right way is clearly distinct from the crooked way. Even during the conquest of Mecca, the idol-worshippers were given a grace time of four months to study Islam, and thereafter either become Muslims by their own choice or leave the sacred city.

There is no greater wealth than wisdom, no greater poverty than ignorance; no greater heritage than culture and no greater support than consultation.

"I am less than what you tell about me but more than what you think about me".

define Islam for you in a way that nobody dared do it before me. Islam means obedience to Allah, obedience to Allah means having sincere faith in Him, such a faith means to believe in His Power, belief in His Power means recognizing and accepting His Majesty, acceptance of His Majesty means fulfilling the obligations laid down by Him and fulfillment of obligations means actions (Therefore, Islam does not mean mere faith, but faith plus deeds).

define Islam for you in a way that nobody dared do it before me. Islam means obedience to Allah, obedience to Allah means having sincere faith in Him, such a faith means to believe in His Power, belief in His Power means recognizing and accepting His Majesty, acceptance of His Majesty means fulfilling the obligations laid down by Him and fulfillment of obligations means actions (Therefore, Islam does not mean mere faith, but faith plus deeds).

Answer 1

Even Western scholars have repudiated the myth of Muslims coercing others to convert. The great historian De Lacy O'Leary wrote:

"History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims, sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated."[3]

Muslims ruled Spain for roughly 800 years. During this time, and up until they were finally forced out, the non-Muslims there were alive and flourishing. Additionally, Christian and Jewish minorities have survived in the Muslim lands of the Middle East for centuries. Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan all have significant Christian and/or Jewish populations.

This is not surprising to a Muslim, for his faith prohibits him from forcing others to see his point of view. The Glorious Qur’an says:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.”
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]

Answer 2

I'm not Muslim, I am a Christian. To date I haven't known of this Islamic teaching being forced on anyone in America but...... If Obama becomes president, "I KNOW HE IS'NT SUPPOSE TO BE MUSLIM" And I'm not saying he is, my statement comes from the fact he is not experienced enough or strong enough to protect America from the Radical Islamic Religion. My main reason for saying this is, he is a far left liberal and they are for cozying up to everyone and anything and letting people do their thing and this is what the Radical Islamic Muslims are waiting for. And yes, they do want and plan on ruling the world, that is why when they take over a Country, they force their religion on the people, to them there is no separation between government and their religion. See, this is the thing....if people would pay more attention to what they say then they would know how false it is from God, and no one can take the place of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Answer 3

There's a difference between physical compulsion and environmental compulsion. There's also a difference between a muslim and a non-muslim.

To non-muslims, muslims claim there is no compulsion, what they mean is they normally do not force you physically (unless during war) to accept Islam. All they do is treat you like scum, build mosques everywhere around you, make sure all food is halal, and offer special benefits to the muslims ONLY. Sure, no compulsion there (it depends on how you see it).

To muslims, the Q'uran teaches clearly. In Bukhari:V4B52N260 “The Prophet said, ‘If a Muslim discards his religion, kill him.’”

So, to the non-muslims, its environmental compulsion, to the muslims, the verse in 2:256 no longer applies, and its OPEN SEASON!

Answer 4

So Muslims do not believe in the free exchange of ideas? Muslims are afraid the average person might be exposed to other ideas about religion. Well, that sounds like force to me. In America we believe the people, the average person, is intelligent enough to choose what he believes. You seem to be talking out of both sides of your mouth. That is an American expression.

Added: Exactly what do you want to free the oppressed non-muslims from?

Answer 5

The real question is 'should it be imposed' and my answer would be a big fat NO, but that goes for any religion really. Doesn't Islam believe that everyone is in fact Muslim already? And there are no converts, only reverts, right?

Answer 6

Muslims, starting with muhammad, have been forcing islam on others for 1400 years now, and I expect them to keep it up and occassionally chop the head off of a few "infidels" to prove how peaceful islam is.
Stop talking about that no compulsion verse in the koran and tell us about the verse that says to "smite the necks of infidels", and surah 4:34 that tells muslims to beat their wives.
Tell us all about your islam...

Answer 7

In america we have freedom of religion because of separation of church and state. from what i know of most muslim countries there is no such separation.so no separation of what is considerd holy law and societal law,so if i went to one of these countries id be required to conform to these laws/to not conform would result in punishment.isnt this a form of force?
If i wanted to openly worship or even speak of my religion i could be put to death.muslims who want to convert to christianity,are put to death.I guess the point is, Im sure there are true muslim believers who made the choice on their own but if all who now practice the laws of islam were given the freedom from the fear of punishment would they continue?Im not trying to be rude. but the fact is we can only take the truth to people, i cant make them accept it.Example :: I have raised my own children in the fear and admonition of God ,I try to live a godly life so as to teach them a good example of a right walk .they must live by my rules.but in the end they will as adults make their own choice .I can make them be obediant to GOD as children but as adults they must in their own heart make the same commitment toGOD that I have.I serve him because i have deep love for him and out of my freedom to choose him not out of fear.which quite often seems to be a big part of islam. peace

Answer 8

The "no compulsion in religion" quote is abrogated by later texts in the Koran. That's why we have today Islam enforced at the end of a knife. Don't believe me? Just ask the Islamic Court that until recently controlled Somalia. They were all about making Islam compulsory.

See the links below:
THOSE WHO DO NOT PRAY WILL BE BEHEADED
http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2704555
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/breaking_news/16177257.htm
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=23576_No_Compulsion_in_Islam&only

Answer 9

No, Islam can't be forced on on any one becuase people must be muslim form the heart not from just showing it. So no it can't be forced since it's an issue of the soul and heart.

People need to know more about jihad.

I suggest wikipedia.com

type in: jihad in islam.

Answer 10

Of course it can. History shows that religion HAS been forced on the masses.