It is a widespread belief that Islam was spread by the sword.
There are two main reasons showing that this was in fact not the case.
First, the Messenger of Mercy, Prophet Muhammad, proclaimed that he would adhere to God’s commandments.
And contrary to forcing people to accept Islam, God explicitly prohibited forced conversion:
"There is no compulsion in faith (Quran 2:256)"
There is an interesting story related to the revelation of this verse.
A man, who was among the companions of the Prophet, had two sons who embraced Christianity before the emergence of the religion of Islam.
The two sons came to Medina among a group of Christians, and at that time their father insisted that they both should become Muslims.
However, they refused their father’s request and brought the matter before the Prophet.
The father asked, “Oh Prophet of Allah, how could part of me enter hell while I am watching?”
It was then that God revealed the above verse forbidding any compulsion in religion.
Thus, the man’s two sons were free to remain Christians.
The Messenger of Mercy did not force them to become Muslims according to their father’s wish.
In another verse, the Quran says:
"But had your Lord so willed, all who are on the earth would have believed in your message, each one of them and all of them together – will you then be the one to compel people so that they become believers, O Prophet? ([/i]Quran 10:99)"
Yes, He Was Worried About The Souls of His People
It is true that the Prophet was extremely keen to convey God’s message and to lead people to salvation.
The Quran describes this eagerness:
"[i]Would you, perhaps, torment yourself to death with grief over them if they are not willing to believe in this message? (Quran 18:6)"
But this eagerness never prompted him to convert even a single person against his will.
Second, there is no historical evidence suggesting that the Prophet Muhammad acted contrary to the principle that there should be no compulsion in religion.
There is not a single recorded instance in the Prophet’s thoroughly documented life of such an incident.

Islam Spread By Word-of-mouth

History, logic, objectivity, and scholarly research all reject the notion that the Prophet Muhammad forced his religion on unwilling masses.
It was voluntary acceptance and the utter conviction of the truth of Islam that caused mass conversions in many countries.
We can see a glimpse of this today in Europe and North America where in those continents Islam is the fastest growing religion.

He forced his religion to his brethren just as they are doing in the north

princechurchill:
He forced his religion to his brethren just as they are doing in the north

Have you ever been to the north or know anyone that actually live there or been there?

Aliyuminna:

Have you ever been to the north or know anyone that actually live there or been there?

I have been there

princechurchill:


I have been there

And you have been forced to convert or truly met anyone that have been forced to convert?

Aliyuminna:


And you have been forced to convert or truly met anyone that have been forced to convert?

You no dey watch TV?

Evildoer:


You no dey watch TV?

Answer the simple question or provide the name of the community that was forced to convert?

mujahid777:

Answer the simple question or provide the name of the community that was forced to convert?

He's only saying what he don't know