How to be Free from Sin — Page 9
9 cording to their own understanding? Considering that it is the same God, and His ways are the same, is it not possi- ble that you are being tried in the same way?' Their hearts will ultimately incline towards the truth, just as in [the times of] the past [Prophets]. It would be a mistake to declare that in this age physical wars should be waged in order to spread faith and piety. The sword, rather than revealing the beauties and excel- lences of the truth, conceals them and shrouds them in ambiguity. Those who hold such beliefs are foes, not friends, of Islam. They are mean-natured and lack moral fibre, their hearts are cloaked in uncertainty, they are gul- lible and ignorant, and they provide the opponents of Islam with the opportunity to object that the progress of Islam depends upon the sword. This belief is detrimental to Islam. No religion has to resort to force when it is ca- pable of establishing its truth through rational arguments, undisputed testimonies, and heavenly signs. On the other hand, no further argument is required to falsify a religion which does not possess these qualities and turns to the sword to compensate for its own weakness. Such a relig- ion is in effect slain by its own sword. Critics wrongfully object that if Jihad is considered unlawful in this day and age, why was it practised in the early days of Islam? These people do not seem to be aware that Islam rejects the use of force to spread religion under any circumstances. The Holy Quran categorically