ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF WAR AND COERCION

What does Islam teach about forcing others into religion?

Dear reader,

Muslims are commanded to fight the unbelievers or kill them unless they accept joining the religion of Muhammad. Islam does not allow people of other beliefs or religions to worship freely. This is why in Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, especially in Mecca, there is not a single church. Allah does not like freedom of worship.

Surah At-Tawbah 9:29 – “Fight those who do not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of truth, from among the People of the Book, until they pay the jizyah with willing submission and feel themselves subdued.”

Surah Al-Anfal 8:38–39 –
38. Say to the disbelievers: If they stop, all that has passed will be forgiven. But if they return (to disbelief), then the example of the former peoples has already passed.
39. And fight them until there is no more fitnah (persecution or disbelief), and the religion is entirely for Allah. But if they cease, then surely Allah sees what they do.”

Surah At-Tawbah 9:5 –
“When the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them in every ambush. But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then let them go their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:193 –
“And fight them until there is no fitnah and the religion is for Allah alone. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the wrongdoers.”

Surah Aal Imran 3:84 –
“Say: We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and what Moses, Jesus, and the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.”

Muhammad’s efforts to spread Islam peacefully failed completely. For 13 years Muhammad had only about 100 followers, most of whom were his own relatives and close family. After failing miserably to spread Islam using peaceful methods, Muhammad changed tactics and “revealed” the verses above—verses commanding that people be forced to join his religion, or else face severe consequences including death.

He told his followers that Allah had commanded him to compel people to join his religion.

In the final years of his life, before his death, Muhammad no longer cared whether or not people willingly joined Islam; he forced everyone to join by threatening them with death. This included his greatest enemy, Abu Sufyan, and his wife Hind.

According to Islamic historians, Abu Sufyan went to Muhammad seeking peace after years of conflict, but Muhammad forced him to convert to Islam or else be killed. Muhammad’s exact words to him were:

“Submit and testify that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, or if you refuse, your head will be cut off.”
(Read Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 814)

Therefore Abu Sufyan agreed.

The entire city of Mecca submitted by force when Muhammad invaded it with his army. Many refused but were forced into Islam; those who resisted were beheaded by Muhammad himself.

Others were expelled from Mecca after the final pilgrimage, as recorded in Qur’an 9:5.

Christians and Jews in Arabia at that time suffered the same fate: Muhammad forced them either to convert to Islam or face death. Many were given only one option: convert to Islam or be expelled from their own lands.
(Read Sahih Muslim 19:4366)

Before his death, Muhammad sent his armies to force the pagan Arab tribes, such as the tribe of al-Harith, to accept Islam. He told them they had only one option—to join him or be killed by the sword. Fearing his threats, the tribe converted.

Later, Muhammad cursed all Christians and Jews.
Read Sahih Bukhari 8:427.

According to Al-Shafi’i in “The Ordinances of the Quran,” Muhammad forced people to join him or he killed those who rejected him.
See Bukhari 53:386.

Similarly, Abu Bakr, who succeeded Muhammad, launched even more violent jihads in neighboring lands against those who rejected Islam. In a letter sent to the Persians, Abu Bakr wrote:

“Accept Islam and you will be free; but if you refuse, then know that I have come to you with an army that loves death as you love life.”

These same characteristics of Muhammad can now be seen in Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, Al Shabab. Evidence of this culture is also present in ISIS, which has killed millions in Syria. Even in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Boko Haram has been at the forefront of implementing Muhammad’s command to kill Christians. Muslims believe that doing this fulfills Allah’s desire and earns them paradise for forcing people to join Islam.
See Bukhari 52:254.

Muhammad also forced Jews to pay JIZYA, simply because they refused to convert to his religion. This was a method of hurting and oppressing the Jews so they might convert.
See Bukhari and Ahmad (5114 or 4869 depending on commentary).

One thing you must understand is this: in Islam, actions are more important than mere belief in Allah. Even today, in countries with large Muslim populations, they do not like the presence of other faiths or religions—examples include Saudi Arabia, Zanzibar, Somalia, etc.

In the end, Abu Sufyan’s son Muawiyah overpowered and defeated Ali, Muhammad’s adopted son. He also poisoned Hassan, one of Muhammad’s beloved grandsons. Abu Sufyan’s grandson Yazid became Caliph and killed Muhammad’s grandson Hussein.

This is Islam and the way it forces people to join it—unlike Christianity, which does not force anyone, but proclaims the message of Jesus. In Christianity, there is no compulsion as found in the Islam of Muhammad.

Questions for reflection

What kind of god uses swords to force people to join him?
What kind of god kills people and claims that is the way to paradise?
Why is there no compulsion in the Bible?
Why are there no apostles in Christianity who use swords and knives to force people to join, as in Islam?
Why is the Christian God not filled with hatred like Allah of Islam?

Today we have learned that Islam contains coercion, unlike Christianity. Furthermore, Allah is not Jehovah, the God of the Bible, because their actions are completely different. Therefore, it is not wrong to say that Adam, Abraham, David, Jesus, and all the prophets of the Bible were not Muslims and never worshiped Allah.

God bless you greatly.

Max Shimba, servant of Jesus Christ
For Max Shimba Ministries Org.

Such are the perils of forcing others to say that you are a prophet when they do not believe it to be true.

Tuesday, December 9, 2025