Author: Seyyed Muslih al-din
The Spread of Islam and Its Interaction with Non-Muslims from the Perspective of Orientalists (Part
Two)
Islam’s Interaction with Non-Muslims from the Perspective of Orientalists:
Sir Thomas Arnold
British historian Sir Thomas Arnold states, “What compelled others to be with Muslims carrying the message of Islam to the nations that were embracing Islam, and what compelled Muslims to hasten toward their true religion, was their sincere belief. The subject of this book is not the ‘Call to Islam,’ but rather its historical and epic expression in the propagation of the call and its various activities. The presence of 200 million Muslims at the present time is a testament to this religious epic during the thirteen centuries since the emergence of Islam. The reason for the spread of Islam in this vast part of the earth is due to several social, political, and religious factors. Additionally, the spread of this religion can be attributed to a factor that is considered one of the strongest active forces: the continuous actions of Islamic callers who have dedicated their lives to the Islamic call and who have received an outstanding and righteous model from the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The vast and unparalleled victories that Muslims achieved with their swords deeply impressed the beliefs of the Christian nations under Muslim rule. These nations recognized that such conquests were achieved with the help of Allah and that Muslims had combined worldly blessings with divine success. The victories of Muslims themselves are a testament to the sincerity of their religion. The outstanding example that the brotherhood of believers aims to achieve in all Muslim countries acts as a powerful factor in attracting and drawing people to the Islamic faith.
“We have no evidence of deliberate efforts to force non-Muslim peoples to accept Islam or of organized efforts to destroy Christianity. If the Muslim caliphs had conducted such plans, they could easily have eradicated Christianity from the most remote areas under Islamic influence and converted the peoples under their rule to Islam. However, the survival of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues to this day reflects the general policy of tolerance of Islamic governments and the positive and peaceful interaction of Muslims with non-Muslims.”
Continues…
[1] – At that time, it coincided with Arnold’s writing of “The Call to Islam” in the late last century, but now the number of Muslims has increased fourfold and perhaps even fivefold.
[2] – The Call to Islam / p. 25.
[3] – The Call to Islam / p. 27.
[4] – The Call to Islam / p. 94.
[5] – The Call to Islam / p. 94.
[6] – The Call to Islam / pp. 98-99.
