The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 43
II - Commencement of Jihād by the Sword & Fundamental Discussion on Jihād 43 “O Messenger! And say to those who have been given the Book and to the unlearned, ‘Do you submit?’ (i. e. , convey the message of Islām to them). If then, they submit then know that they have been guided. But if they reject your message, then your duty is only to convey the message. And Allāh is Watchful of His servants. ” 1 These verses of the Holy Qur’ān, which I have presented according to the chronological order of their revelation, are a conclusive proof that in light of the Islāmic teaching, compulsion in the matter of religion is not permissible. Rather, Islām has left the issue of religion to the conscience of every individual, in that every individual may choose to follow whichever religion one so desires. From among the verses just mentioned, the verse of Sūrah Al-Kahf is from the Makkan era. Some scholars are of the opinion that the verse of Sūrah Yūnus is from the last days of the Makkan era, whereas others believe it to be from the Medinite era. The verse of Sūrah Al-Baqarah is from the initial years in Madīnah when the wars of Islām had begun. The verse of Sūrah Āl- e-‘Imrān is from the latter period in Madīnah, when Makkah and Ṭā’if had been conquered, and the wars of Arabia had nearly come to a close. As such, these different verses were revealed in diverse eras during the life of the Holy Prophet sa. The last verse was revealed close to the demise of the Holy Prophet sa. All of these verses conclusively and definitely establish the prohibition of forceful propagation, and allude to the task of the prophet inasmuch that he should openly convey his teaching to the people. Thereafter, to accept or not to accept is the prerogative of people themselves. Now, in the presence of this clear and lucid teaching, which was loudly announced to the people day in and day out, and to which the disbelievers were invited, is it possible for the Holy Prophet sa and his Companions to set out, sword in hand, so as to forcefully convert people to Islām? In this case, would the disbelievers not object saying that you preach a so-called divine word which speaks against compulsion, yet practice coercion yourselves? Yet history proves that this allegation was never raised by the disbelievers, despite their habitual tendency to level allegations 1 Āl-e-‘Imrān (3:21)