Understanding Islam — Page 41
41 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. 35 In conclusion, Islam’s only “sword” is wisdom and goodly exhortation quoted in the Holy Quran: Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in a way that is best. Surely, thy Lord knows best who has strayed from His way; and He knows those who are rightly guided. 36 E XTREMISTS ARE N OT D EVOUT To allege that those who went and joined Daesh or any other extremist organization were devout Muslims and went back to the core texts of the Holy Quran is not supported by established facts. In a classified report, MI5 concluded that “far from being religious zealots, a large number of those