The greatest misconception about Islam in the West is that it was spread by a sword. Infact it was, but the sword was not of steel, it was a sword of truth. It was so sharp that it conquered the hearts of all the people who converted. Even today the sharpness of the sword is piercing the hearts of people. Hence the conversion rate in increasing day by day.

But still there is a misconception by the unbelievers that Islam is judged as a religion of terrorists. Every religion has terrorists, but Islam has been focused, because the unbelievers are afraid of facing the truth and losing their faith for Islam.

There are many people who are trying to blunt the Sword of Islam, but in turn sharpening it. I sincerely appreciate their efforts and I pity them, even after studying Islam so closely they are blind and can not see the truth, Allah show them the right path.(Ameen).

For instance India was ruled by Muslim rulers for centuries. If Islam would have been spread by the force of the sword then today India would have been a Muslim country instead of being a secular country. Islam is so strong that it does not need a sword to attract others. Some prominent non-muslim Indians remarks on the baseless claim that Islam was spread by a sword :

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Father of the Nation) : " I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and his own mission. These, and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every trouble."- Young India, 1924.

K.S.Ramakrishna Rao (noted Indian writer): " My problem to write this monograph is easier because we are not generally fed now on that (distorted) kind of history and much time need not be spent on pointing out our misrepresentation of Islam. The theory of Islam and sword, for instance, is not heard now in quarter worth the name. The principle of Islam that, 'there is no compulsion in religion' is well known". - Mohammed the prophet of Islam, Riyadh 1989 - page 4.

Vengatachalam Adiyar (now Abdullah Adiyar) Indian, noted Tamil Journalist worked as a news editor in Dr. M.Karunanidhi's daily Murasoli for 17 years. Worked with former 3 Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. Received Kalaimamani Award(Big Gem of Arts) from Tamil Nadu Government in 1982. (Embraced Islam in 1987): " In Islam I found suitable replies to nagging queries arising in my mind with regard to the theory of creation, status of Women, creation of Universe, etc. The life history of the Holy Prophet(SAWS) attracted me very much and made easy for me to compare with other world leaders and their philosophies. "

James A. Michner "No other religion in history spread so rapidly as Islam --- The west has widely believed that this search of religion was made possible by the sword. But no modern scholar accepts that idea, and the Quran is explicit in support of the freedom of conscience" Islam - The Misunderstood Religion, Readers Digest (American Edition) May 1955.

Edward Gibbon: "The greatest success of Mohammed's life was affected by sheer moral force without the stroke of a sword." History of the Saracen Empire, London 1870.

…… They are many more.

 Some of the factors which impress people to convert to Islam are five pillars of Islam, Scientific discoveries confirm with quranic verses, status of women in Islam etc.

The Five Pillars of Islam :

Faith: To testify that there is no true God but Allah and that Mohammed(SAWS) is his Messenger and the seal of Prophets.

Prayer: To perform prayers 5 times a day. It is an expression of thankfullness to Allah, a demonstration of true equality ,solid unity & fellowship among the muslims and a lesson in discipline and will power.

Zakath(poor-due): To pay charity once a year.It mititgates to a minimum the suffering of the needy and the poor members of the society. It is a comforting consolation the the less fortunate people.

Fasting: To fast during the month of Ramadhan. It teaches us the principle of sincere love, it indoctrinates us in patience and unselfishness because when we fast we feel the pains of deprivation but edure patiently.

Pilgrimage: To perform hajj once in a lifetime if one is capable. It is the largest annual convention of faith where muslims from all around the world meet one another to commerate the divine ritual observed by Araham(pbuh) and Ishmael(pbuh).

Scientific Discoveries Confirm with Quran :

According to Dr.Maurice Bucaille(Prof. of Surgery, France) in his book 'The BIBLE, the QUR'AN, and Science' mentions the following : (quoting page 120)

" What initially strikes the reader confronted for the first time with a text (The Quran) of this kind, is the sheer abundance of subjects discussed; The Creation, Astronomy, The Explanation of Certain Matters concerning the Earth, the Animal and Vegetable kingdoms and Human Reproduction.

Whereas monumental errors are to be found in 'the BIBLE, I could not find a single error in the QUR'AN. I had to stop and ask myself; if a man was the author of the quran, how could he have written facts in the seventh century A.D., that today are shown to be in keeping with modern scientific knowledge ? "

Status of Women in Islam:

Many women are turning towards Islam the reason again not being force but her rights and duties in Islam. Among the rights given to women of Islam is liberation which was revealed by God in the seventh century to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), who is the last Prophet of Islam. Every Muslim woman gets her rights and duties from The Holy Qur'an and theTraditions of the Prophet (Hadith or Sunnah).

According to R. Siddiqi, director of the Islamic Center, Japan.

"Women are attracted to Islam because they want freedom. Islam gives them independence because they do not have to be a slave of any man. Islam is against moral aggression against women. The chastity and honor of women are protected. No illicit relations are allowed. All these things attract women," (Japan Times on Thursday, November 19, 1992 ).

Islam has spread through the Middle East, Africa, Spain, Europe, Asia, Afghanistan, India, Russia, America and China. Islam is replacing other well-established religions such as Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Paganism. If Islam was spread by a sword then why so many people have chosen Islam for more than 1400 years of its history.

What are the reasons behind the triumph of Islam over all other religions  - 

       the Sword of steel (force) or truth ?

 Articles:

The Ahl al-Sunnah's Schools

http://www.harunyahya.com/articles/ahlalsunnahschools.php  

The Qur'an Commands obedience to the Sunnah

http://www.harunyahya.com/articles/obedience_to_sunnah.php

The Virtue in Giving the Alms (Zakat)

http://www.harunyahya.com/articles/giving_alms.php

The Virtue of the Prayer (salat)

http://www.harunyahya.com/articles/virtue_of_prayer.php

The Muslim Khilafa

Smoking: A Social Poison

The Other Side of Sufism

Abusing the word "Islam"