Forced conversions

Submitted by Richard the Lion heart (United States), Feb 13, 2006 at 01:34

Dear Tariq,

It's strange how you just dismiss the life and behavior of Muhammad as unworthy evidence to prove that Islam condones forced conversion. During his campaign against the meccans, Muhammad threatened them with death and destruction if they did not convert. Remember during that Muhammad would claim to have received a revelation whenever it suieted him.

One particular episode is quite telling. When Muhammad and his followers were about to attack Mecca to subjugate it to islam, his adherents arrested Abu Sufyan, one of Mecca's inhabitants. They brought him to Muhammad. Muhammad told him:
"Woe to you, O Abu Sufyan. Is it not time for you to realize that there is no God but the only God?" Abu Sufyan answered: "I do believe that." Muhammad then said to him: "Woe to you, O Abu Sufyan. Is it not time for you to know that I am the apostle of God?" Abu Sufyan answered: "By God, O Muhammad, of this there is doubt in my soul." The 'Abbas who was present with Muhammad told Abu Sufyan: "Woe to you! Accept islam and testify that Muhammad is the apostle of God before your neck is cut off by the sword." Thus he professed the faith of islam and became a muslim."

So it is quite obvious that Muhammad himself forced people to accept Islam. If you deny this fact than I would say you are rather confused about your faith. The founder of your faith himself forced people to convert and yet you deny it happens. I think you need to learn more about your faith and its history. Yet something tells me you already know these things, but like must muslims you choose to pretend it's not there. However you are not fooling any one, probably ony yourself.

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