Is it true that Islam spread by the sword and christianity spread by peace ?

Question

If we look at the world in the 19 th century before the church was defeated by the modern civilization, we find only christians lived in the christians countries(europe,latin america, philipines) all followers of other religions were DISAPEARED some how!! but in all muslim countries we could find all kinds of religions living together in peace,muslims ruled India for many years but the hindus still the majority there while in the Philipines the Spanish christians ruled for only some years and suddenly the whole population of the philipines are christians any one have explaination ?

please the follower of George Bush need not to answer !!

Answer 1

It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam.


1. Islam means peace.

Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).


2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.

Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and anti-social elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice.


3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.

The best reply to the 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 fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated."


4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.

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.


5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.

Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 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.


6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.


7. 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?"


8. East Coast of Africa.

Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, "Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?"


9. Thomas Carlyle.

The famous 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 men. 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."


10. No compulsion in religion.

With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion:
Truth stands out clear from error"
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]


11. Sword of the Intellect.

It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:

"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]


12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.

An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a 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?


13. 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 in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?


14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.

Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, "People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was born".

Answer 2

To the question: We have the vice versa in History. European Crusaders, Spanish-Wisigoths Reconquerors, British and Dutch corsairs and admirals (or both) against Turkish and India or Indonesia Muslims attacked Islam throwing flower petals and putting the other cheek when logically contra-attacked? No, sir,
To the argument: Of course so many religions, animisms and even cultural rituals disappeared in the name of some God that was the True One (the Other's otherty was wrong, so it merited to be knocked out and off so silly and offensive minds). Catholicism has his champions that bragged and boasted to be 'half soldiers and half saints'. There's an Islamic fundamentalism, all right; but what about Christian fundamentalism? It's so obvious through the centuries! And resuming, it's well known, and only the obtuse deny it, that a God is always a good alibi for massive killing with a good reason and thus become rich and powerful. And to win each one's Paradise, don't forget. "Religion Wars" never existed. Even pacifists work in Weapon Industry, and tell them to find another job.

Answer 3

Most religions were spread by governments that used the sword. If you look at history you will see a pattern of kings and empires claiming that they were visited by God or Allah, telling them that they had to worship a certain way. This solidified their rule with the common people and was used as a rallying cry for war. Christianity was used by the Romans, Franks, and even by other barbarian kings to pillage and conquer. Every time a country or village was taken the inhabitants were forced to practice Christianity. That is just the facts. When Constantine the Roman Emperor chose Christianity, all common Romans were forced to follow. That isn't a peaceful acceptance of Christianity, it was a forced edict that meant your life if you didn't submit.

Without state sponsorship, Christianity would have disappeared into the mists of time, like thousands of other break off religions have done. Where are the Essenes? They don't exist anymore, primarily because they weren't sponsored by a state.

Answer 4

It is not acceptable to be a Muslim without your free choice. If you become a Muslim for any reason other than your sincere choice and believe you will not be a true Muslim and may be a hypocrite. Islam didn't spread by sword and you can ask Malaysia and Indonesia the largest Islamic States today, and you can see today although Islam is heavily bombarded by media and military on wide scale, it is still the fastest growing religion ever in America and Europe. The reasons are: Islam is natural, logical, evidence-based, and fruitful both in this life and the eternal life.

Answer 5

To a degree yes, to a degree no

Christianity is spread by missionaries who go in and threaten with hell.

Islam is spread by decivers who lie about the religion, try and take over an area with the Islamic Courts and then use the sword if they are mis treated or ousted

Christianity uses the sword when demanded by King or Pope or Country

Neither is a saint both can be sinners

Answer 6

Very useful information and some excellent points have been made in this post. If religion was to spread by force, no man would have survived on the face of this earth. Besides faith is born within a soul..it could never be conquered. We should all pray that may god lead those who are astray and keep them guided, whom have guidance. Keep up the great work

Answer 7

No, look at the Crusades, the christians tried and failed to use war against the Muslims to convert htem, and all the colonies were forced to adopt Christianity usually beaten or tortured into the populace by "missionaries'.

now missionaries use bribes and food to convert

Why do you need to recruit/convert people? They believe in the power of masses because both religions have no basis.

They disagree on the invisible man that they are gonna see when they die. Utter Crap! sounds like something little kids would fight over.

Answer 8

Where do U live. Is there any Muslims living in your neighbourhood? Do U see them carrying any sword with them ? What make U say that they spread Islam with their sword, when they do not even carry any sword with them. The Muslims had never used force against anyone to embrace Islam. The person who embrace Islam convert themself voluntarily and sincerely to become Muslims However, Christians used money to persuade ppl to convert to Christian.

Answer 9

Yes , Islam was spread by the sword
but i can't say that Christianity spread by peace .

peace was used for a reason, to dis-arm the people.
another good tool to spread Christianity was , the god-son story and how it was connected to to Judaism and introduced as salvation to all mankind , not only Jews.

in other words .. Jesus himself was how Christianity spread in the world.

they used him or his story , as a god , a god-son , a Savior , and a perfect human being , at the same time .
how can you say no to a character like that ?!

Islam didn't have anything to use , Muhammad was no body, and Islam wasn't connected to any other religion ,if you think about it outside the quran.
there was no charm or magic or roots , so they used the only thing left , the sword .

Answer 10

Please do not provide the atheists with the entertainment of a battle between Christianity and Islam. We both believe in God. To my knowledge the word Islam means peace. Let us instead honor God together by helping each other promote peace in His name. Peace be with you

Answer 11

Buddhism declined in India following the loss of patronage due to the fall of sympathetic rulers such as Magadha, Kosala and the Kushan, invasions such as the White Huns.

Islamic rulers have been known implement a policy on their subjects to either accept conversion to Islam or flee the land under Islamic rule; otherwise punishable by enslavement or even execution.

~ Eric Putkonen