Did Islam spread by the sword?

How did Islam Spread? By Sword or By Conversion ?

      Some people ask also

How can Islam be called a religion of peace,when it has spread by the sword?

There is a very common complaint of non-Muslims brothers and sisters that there would not be millions of followers of Islam in the world if they did not use force to spread Islam.

                     

The following arguments will make clear the idea that Islam has not spread by the sword,Islam is spread by its simple truth is justified by reason and conversion and message of peace or love

Islam means peace:

   The root of the word "Islam"comes from "Salam" which means peace. The another meaning of the word Islam is to submitted everything one's will to Allah, and Islam is a religion of peace.

     Peace is achieved by surrendering oneself completely to the will of Allah, the Great Creator, that's why Islam is peace of religion.

 There is no use of force in Islam:

     Muslims do not know that Islam was spread by any sword and even though Muslims had swords, they did not use it to spread Islam because Allah says in the glorious Qur'an majid :

لاَ اِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّيْنِ قَدْ تَبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الغَىِّ

Means : There is no coercion(force) in religion. The right path has become clear from the wrong path

(Al-Qur'an 2:256)

     The sword of knowledge is that which conquers the heart and consciousness of Allah says in the glorious Qur'an:

ِاُدْعُ اِلٰى سَبِيْلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِـ وَخَادلْهُمْ بِالَّتِىْ هِىَ اَحْسَنُ

Means: Call to the way of Allah with clear reasoning and good words, and speak to them in a way that is best.                        (Al-Qur'an 16:125)

    

                        --------******--------