Mahzarnama (The Memorandum) — Page 123
Mahzarnama 123 warfare, after its professional development, have changed from being religious to being materialistic. How unjust it would be to draw sword against the objector instead of replying to his objections. The methods of combat have changed along with the change in the spirit of the time. So, first of all, you need to use your head and your heart and purify your souls. Seek help and victory from God, the Exalted: beseeching Him with truth and righteousness, for this is the immutable law and an established principle of God. And if the Muslims have hopes of courting victory by mere vainglorious boasting, then it would be impossible. Allah, the Exalted, does not value empty boasts, He values genuine and righteously inspired fear of God (taqwa), as He says: 23 [Malfoozaat, vol. 1, New Edition, pp. 38-39] "The Holy Quran clearly forbids the use of force for the spread of the faith and directs its propagation through its inherent qualities and good example. Do not be misled by the notion that in the beginning the Muslims were commanded to take up the sword because the sword was not taken up for the spread of the faith, but in self-defence against the enemies of Islam and for the purpose of establishing peace and security. It was never meant for coercion in matters of faith. " [Sitarah Qaisariyyah, Roohaani Khazaa’in vol. 15, pp. 120-121] "I do not know from where our opponents have gathered that Islam was spread by the sword. God has set forth clearly in the Holy Quran: meaning, there shall be no compulsion in the religion of Islam. 23 Surely Allah is with those who restrain themselves and those who are benevolent. (16:129) [Translator]