Ads by Muslim Ad Network

Is It Allowed to Use Force to Convert People to Islam?

21 November, 2016
Q As-Salamu alaykum. Is it allowed in Islam to use force to convert someone to Islam?

Answer

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu waRahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

Answering your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty is a Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

Ads by Muslim Ad Network

Coercion or forcing people to convert to Islam is against the fundamental teachings of the Qur’an. The Qur’an affirms the freedom of conscience as axiomatic, and thus it categorically states:

“There shall be no compulsion in religion. Distinct has now become the right way from [the wayof] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing.” (Al-Baqarah 2:256)

“If it had been your Lord’s will, all who are in the earth would have believed. Will you, then, force the people to become believers?” (Yunus 10:99)

“And if they surrender themselves unto Him (i.e. God), they are on the right path; but if they turn away, behold, thy duty (O Muhammad,) is no more than to deliver the message: for God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His creatures.” (Aal `Imran 3:20)

“Hence, pay heed unto God, and pay heed unto the Messenger, and be ever on your guard [against evil]; and if you turn away, then know that Our Messenger’s only duty is a clear delivery of the message [entrusted to him.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:92)

“But if they turn away [from you, O Prophet, know that] We have not sent you to be their keeper: you are not bound to do more than deliver the message [entrusted to you.” (Al-Shura 42:48)

Thanks to these explicit exhortations. Generally, Muslims were averse to using force in converting people to Islam. It is a point most of the historians would agree on. It is a fact that Muslims ruled countries like Spain and India for centuries and yet most of the populations remained Christians or Hindus. The same is not the case with the countries governed by Christians as they often resorted to force in converting people.

Allah Almighty knows best.