Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens
himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that
way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near
to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be
rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings,
the nights." (See Fath-ul-Bari, Page 102, Vol 1).
(Sahih Bukhari 1.38)
no compulsion in religion (la ikraha fi d-dini),
al-Baqarah 2:256; al-Kahf 18:29; al-Ghashiyah 88:21-22
Note that this is a Meccan sura, and Muhammad, being in a
disadvantaged position, had sought to persuade the non-Muslims to
Islam. At Medina, however, the attitude of Muhammad and the Qur'an
hardened, and it was sanctioned that conversion through force is
necessary.
Muslims have often quoted this matter of factly that no one is
forced into the religion of Islam, that one is free to choose his
religion. However, it is also the opinion of most Muslims and
theologians that this does not apply to the Muslim; he is not free
to leave Islam, and
apostasy
may even involve the death penalty in
many Muslim countries. Malaysia, for example is in the process of
passing a law to fine Muslims who become apostates. Thus, no
"compulsion in religion" must be seen as only applicable to the
non-Muslim, i.e. one is not to be compelled to become a Muslim.
Once he or she becomes a Muslim, there is no turning
back. He is compelled to remain a Muslim, though.
And a person born into a Muslim family has no choice but to
remain a Muslim. On the other hand, Muslims in history
have also converted
non-Muslims to Islam through the sword, i.e., they either have to
be killed or banished or become Muslims.
This verse and many others (124 of them in total)
have been said to be abrogated by the "sword verse"
ayat al-sayf
(at-taubah 9:5):
Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the
idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive),
and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if
they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due,
then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving,
Merciful.
The last part of the verse:
"But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due,
then leave their way free." means that if the pagans become Muslims
(not any worship, but the Islamic worship, particularly the confession of
faith, the shahada, and the Islamic prayer, salat, and the payment of the
Islamic tax, zakat), then the Muslims should not continue with killing them,
but let them go.
Ibn al'Ata Iqi refers to the sword verse as one of the
marvels ('aja'ib) of the Quran!
(Powers, David S. "The Exegetical Genre nasikh
al-Qur'an was mansukhuhu." in Approaches to
the History of the Interpretation of the Qur'an, Andrew Rippin, ed., Oxford:
Clarendon Press, 1988, 130-131). Zamakshari agrees with this.
The following hadith also expresses a willingness to use force to
accomplish the acceptance of Islam:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Verse:--"You (true Muslims) are the best of peoples ever
raised up for mankind." means, the best of peoples for the
people, as you bring them with chains on their necks till they
embrace Islam. (Sahih Bukhari 6.80)
Further reading: Interpreting Qur'an 2:256 and
Compel them or Not?