Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

 

To answer this question, we ought to undertake a detailed research which goes beyond the limited scope of this forum. Therefore, all that I do here is to mention a few points worth remembering:

 

Islam is opposed to wars of aggression. The Prophet (peace be upon him) took up arms only in self-defense. He never initiated aggression: how can he do otherwise when Allah states in the Qur’an:

 

“AND FIGHT in God’s cause against those who wage war against you, but do not commit aggression – for, verily, God does not love aggressors.” (Qur’an: 2: 190)

 

“PERMISSION [to fight] is given to those against whom war is being wrongfully waged – and, verily, God has indeed the power to succour them.” (Qur’an: 22: 39)

1- Allah also forbids Muslims from attacking anyone who allows others to live in peace:

 

“Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them.” (Qur’an:4: 90)

“Hence, if they do not let you be, and do not offer you peace, and do not stay their hands, seize them and slay them whenever you come upon them: for it is against these that We have clearly empowered you [to make war].” (Qur’an: 4: 91)

 

2- We know for a fact that both the Sassanid and the Byzantine emperors not only acted aggressively – even sending assassins to murder the Prophet (peace be upon him); therefore, it is not right to conclude that Muslims went out to attack them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) never broke his pacts nor allowed attacking anyone who allowed him and his followers to live in peace.

 

3- Islam even as the objective historians testify did not force Islam on anyone; so the wars were not intended to spread Islam by force.

 

4- The speed with which Muslims were able to conquer the territories has always baffled historians, in spite of the fact their enemies outnumbered them. One of the credible explanations is the peoples welcomed them not as oppressors but as liberators.

 

5- Majority of people in the countries Muslims conquered remained non-Muslims for centuries, and the conversion to Islam took place gradually – the fact that strongly supports our thesis that Muslims did not invade the lands to spread Islam by the sword.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.