Islam and the Freedom of Conscience — Page 107
~ 107 ~ De Lacy O’Leary In his book, Islam at the Crossroads, De Lacy O’Leary wrote: ''History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races, is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated. '' 46 Mahatma Gandhi In a statement published in Young India , Mahatma Gandhi stated: ''I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind. . . . I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days, in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These, and not the sword, carried 46 De Lacy O’Leary. Islam at the Crossroads. Kegan Paul. , London, p. 8 (1923).