Facts & Faith

There is no compulsion in religion. One accepts or rejects a religion with his own choice and thought process.


Islam is not in favour of forcing people into the Religion. One will not find a single instance of forced conversion during the life of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) or his rightly guided companions. Infact it addresses hearts and minds of Mankind, it provides ample evidence of its truthfulness.


Let’s first analyse the Seerah of the Prophet (pbuh). When He was calling the people of Makkah towards Islam, they offered him several things in order to prevent him from propagating Islam, which also included the offer to become the King of Makkah. If he wished, he could have become the king of Makkah and influence the powerful and strong people of Makkah in his favour and force them to accept Islam, as these days some political parties try to do. But the Prophet (pbuh) turned down their offers, infact in 8th Hijra, when he entered Makkah as a victorious person; he did not punish the people nor did he force them to accept Islam. He used to do Jihad only against those who fought with him. For those who wanted to have peace treaty with him, he agreed with them until they themselves broke the treaty and betrayed his trust, consequently the Prophet (pbuh) engaged in war against them. The people who had come to fight the battle of Badr with Muslims, had they ceased, the prophet (pbuh) wouldn’t have fought with them. This is what happened in Khandaq and Uhud too. He had treaty for 10 years with the unbelievers (Kuffaar) of the Quraish tribe, but the Quraish broke the treaty, and therefore the prophet (pbuh) also had to confront.


Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas: Ansar had a practice that if children of a certain women didn’t survive, they would take an oath that if in future any child survives, they would make him a Jew (Yahudi). In the Yahudi tribe Banu-Nazir, there were a few such children. But when Ansar embraced Islam, they said: We used to do this when we believed their religion to be better than ours. Now, since Allah (swt) has favoured us with Islam, therefore we will forcefully make these children Muslims. Then Allah (swt) revealed the verse from Surah Baqarah chapter 2, verse 256:


“Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.”


Saeed Bin Jubair (R.A), a Tabai, after narrating the above mentioned Hadith said: Thus whoever wants, may join them (Kuffaar) and whoever wants may accept Islam.


Sunan Abu-Dawood, Vol. 2, Hadith No. 2676, Ibne Hibbaan, Hadith No. 140)


This verse clearly states “There is no compulsion in religion”. One accepts or rejects a religion with his own choice and thought process. Hence it is only with one’s heart and mind that one should accept Islam. The mission of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was to present and practice Islamic teachings but not to force people into Islam. The prophet was asked not to repent if anyone does not believe in Allah (swt) and His message (for that was not his job). Allah (swt) says:


“If it had been the Lord’s Will they would all have believed all who are on earth! Will you then compel mankind against their will to believe!” (Surah Yunus, chapter 10, verse 99)


Once during a journey, the Prophet (pbuh) was resting under a tree, an enemy of the Prophet took out his sword while the Prophet was sleeping. When he woke up, he found the unsheathed sword in his hand. He challenged the Prophet saying, “Who will save you from me?” The prophet said thrice, “Allah.” The sword fell from his hands. Then the Prophet picked up the sword and asked the same question, “Now, who will save you from me?” the man said, “you are better than me (in behaviour)”, then the Prophet asked him, “Do you testify that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah? He said, “no, but I promise you that I will never fight with you nor assist those who fight with you ”, the prophet did not punish him. (Ibne-Hibbaan, Hadith No. 2883)


Umar (R.A.) said to a Christian old lady: ‘O lady, accept Islam and you will be safe, verily Allah (swt) has sent Muhammad (pbuh) with the truth. She said: I am very old and closer to death, Then Umar (R.A.) said: O Allah (swt), You be the witness and he recited:


“Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” (Tafseer-e-Qurtubi, Vol. 3, Page No. 182)


Thus, Islam is strictly against forceful conversion and gives freedom of religion. The History of Islam bears witness that wherever Muslims ruled, non-Muslims had full rights and freedom to follow their respective religions.

Your life is replete with priceless moments. Learn to cherish them.


Ali at-Tantawi related two poignant experiences in his journals. The first was when he almost drowned on the shores of Beirut. He was drowning and time was running out for him when he was finally rescued and carried unconscious to land. In the brief moments of struggle before losing consciousness he recalls his utter submission to his Lord and his wish of returning to life, even if it was for an hour, to renew his faith, to do good deeds, and to try to reach the pinnacle of belief.


The second instance was when he accompanied a caravan traveling from Syria to Makkah. While in the desert of Tabook, they lost their way and wandered aimlessly for three days. Their situation worsened when their supply of food and drink began to run out. Everyone felt that death might very well be imminent. At this point, he stood up and gave a speech to the people: it was tantamount to a farewell speech to life. It was a heartfelt sermon that moved both himself and his audience to tears. He felt his faith increase and he truly felt that none could save or help them except Allah, the Exalted, the All-High.Whoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He has a matter to bring forth such as giving honour to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.(Qur’an 55: 29)


And many a Prophet fought in Allah’s cause and along with him fought large bands of religious learned men. But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allah’s Way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves the patient honesty. (Qur’an 3: 146)


Verily, Allah loves those strong believers who challenge their enemies with patience and stamina. They don’t give up, feel hopeless, or allow themselves to be humiliated at the hands of others. Instead, they struggle, strive, and toil. And these are the taxes that a believer must pay for the ultimate property in this world: faith in Allah, His Messenger, and His religion. “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer. And in each of them there is good.”


Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) inserted one of his fingers into a crevice of the cave in order to protect the Prophet from a scorpion, and he himself was bitten in the process. A believer’s spirits are raised when he appreciates that he is in close proximity of Allah’s Mercy, Kindness, and Forgiveness. He feels Allah’s protection and care with an intensity of feeling that is proportionate to his belief.