Does jihad propagate for Islam by force?

[rocam]

The concept of Jihad does not require Muslims to propagate their religion by force. Jihad simply means "struggle", or struggle in the way of God. Jihad includes a spiritual struggle that takes place in the soul of man against his own lust, greed and other evil passions.

The better known aspect of Jihad is fighting for self defence, or for the establishment of justice, for the safeguarding of freedom etc. Islam views this fight as the last option, taken up only when all other courses are closed. There is a misunderstanding propagated by vested interests that Islam wants its adherents to fight against Non-Muslims. This is not true.

What Islam teaches is to do da'wa or peaceful propagation of its teachings. The Qur'an, which is the Holy Book of the Muslims says:

Let there be no compulsion in religion.
Say the Truth is from your Lord; whoever wishes to believe, let him believe; and whoever wishes to disbelieve, let him disbelieve.


Allah knows best

[Theja]

When the people of Mecca were suspicious of the new religion of Muhammad (before he came back with 10000 jihadists and Mecca surrendered out of fear) and were unkind to him, Muhammad declared: "Let there be no compulsion in religion".

But the story changed after Muhammad became the sole ruler of his people --- in the name of religion.
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Another evidence: Here the word peace is equivalent to: surrender to Muhammad -----

Before Oman was Islamised. A letter to the Omani people from Muhammad:

"Peace be upon the one who follows the right path! I call you to Islam. Accept my call, and you shall be unharmed. I am God's messenger to mankind, and the word shall be carried out upon the miscreants. If, therefore, you recognize Islam, I shall bestow power upon you. But if you refuse to accept Islam, your power shall vanish, my horses shall camp on the expanse of your territory and my prophecy shall prevail in your kingdom."


TRANSLATION: Surrender to me and accept Islam, or I Muhammad will declare war and finish you off.

"LET THERE BE COMPULSION IN RELIGION."

[Theja]

To those who turn away from Islam: seize them and kill them (sura 4:89). I hope these apostates are careful and watchful in all their ways --- http://www.apostatesofIslam.com

[Hattushil]

Theja,before starting to debate about the topic, can i kindly ask your true opinion regarding the crusades?

I can see a very hot debate is coming...

[voltaires_priest]

Mornin' Hatt

Trust you to raise the standards of debate with yer darned intellectually sound arguments


V

[Hattushil]

Originally posted by voltaires_priest
Mornin' Hatt

Trust you to raise the standards of debate with yer darned intellectually sound arguments


V

Mornin' Volt

I tried to have such a debate recently in another thread but the only response was just whining regarding bad bad Muslims....At the end, the thread was deleted...

I don't know how it will be possible to have a "high standard debate" with a person who holds the absolute truth in hand but i promise that i will do my best...

[Theja]

The crusades were wrong and uncalled for.

The Bible never advocated nor encouraged such adventures.

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At the same time, centuries before the crusades, Muslims raided Palestine, Syria, North Africa (Morocco), Egypt, etc. Only the word 'crusade' was missing, but all the elements of crusades were present.

So the Muslims had no business living in Israel in the first place, if you wish to take offense at the Crusades.