How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

The word 'Islam' derives from two Arabic root words: 'salaam' meaning peace, and 'silm' meaning submitting one's will to God. So Islam means 'peace acquired by submitting your will to Almighty God.' If you translate the claim 'Islam was spread by the sword,' it literally means 'peace was spread by the sword.'

Historian De Lacy O'Leary wrote in 'Islam at the Crossroads': '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.'

Historical evidence comprehensively disproves the 'spread by sword' claim:

1. Spain: Muslims ruled for 800 years and never forced conversion. When the Christian Crusaders reconquered Spain, they wiped out or expelled the entire Muslim population. Not a single Muslim could openly give the Adhaan (call to prayer).

1. Arab Lands: Muslims have been the rulers of the Arab lands for 1,400 years. Yet today, more than 14 million Arab Coptic Christians exist — Christians since generations. If forced conversion were Islamic policy, not a single non-Muslim would remain after 14 centuries of Muslim rule.

1. India: Muslims ruled significant parts of India for roughly 1,000 years. They had the power to force conversions but did not. Today, more than 80% of Indians are non-Muslims. These 80% are living testimony that Islam was not spread by the sword.

1. Indonesia: The country with the world's largest Muslim population was never invaded by a Muslim army. Islam spread there through trade and the exemplary character of Muslim merchants.

1. Malaysia: More than 50% of its population is Muslim. Which Muslim army went to Malaysia?

1. East Africa: Islam spread rapidly through the East Coast of Africa without any military campaign. Which sword are we talking about?

Thomas Carlyle addressed this in 'Heroes and Hero Worship': 'The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one. In one man's head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and tries to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword!'

Carlyle was speaking of the 'sword of intellect' — and the Qur'an confirms this: 'Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious' (16:125). It is this sword of wisdom and truth that conquers hearts.

Modern statistics confirm this. An article reproduced from the Reader's Digest Almanac Year Book 1986, published in The Plain Truth Magazine, reported that in a span of 50 years between 1934 and 1984, Islam grew by 235%, while Christianity grew by 47%. Which war took place between 1934 and 1984 that forced people to accept Islam?

Today, Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America and Europe. After September 11, 2001, CNN reported in June 2002 that approximately 34,000 Americans had accepted Islam in just ten months. The more Islam is attacked, the more people investigate it and embrace it — as the Qur'an states: 'Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to depart' (17:81).

The Qur'an states clearly: 'There is no compulsion in religion' (2:256). Islam's growth has always been and continues to be through conviction, not conquest.