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Islam calls to using the intellect and contemplation. Intellect is essential for ac¬quiring comprehensive knowledge, and is consequently the main condition for accepting Islam and for performing religious duties. Islam is a religion whose instruments are the intellect and contemplation, and whose power is proof. There is no compulsion in religion. Fighting was only leg¬islated against those who fight Muslims or turn them away from their religion— to ward off any offensive. The Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] said concerning the wish to fight enemies, "Do not wish to meet the enemy, and ask Allah for safety." The principle over which the majority of scholars agree is that the reason behind fighting non-Muslims is their assaults against Muslims and not their disbelief. This has been explicitly stated in both the Qur'anic verses and in Prophetic ha- diths and it is therefore impermissible to force anyone to accept Islam. Allah the Almighty says, "There is no compulsion in the religion". This verse is a general statement that attests to the principle of non-compulsion. If a disbeliever is fought until he accepts Islam, then this would be the severest compulsion. Despite the explicit nature of the Qur'anic verses demonstrating the manner of treating others, we find that some exegists and preachers are far removed from comprehending this meaning. Perhaps their bloodthirstiness is more manifest than their disposition to preserve lives and consequently they failed to under¬stand the objectives of Islam. They have maintained that the verses of forgive¬ness and granting pardon in the holy Qur'an have been abrogated and the verse of the sword is the verse to be implemented. This is their most eccentric claim with regards to what they claim are the abrogated verses of forgiveness, show¬ing love and administering justice. These verses are solid, have not been abro¬gated, and are considered the basis of treating non-Muslims. Therefore, it was necessary to explain: - the verses which they claim have been abrogated and replaced by the verse of the sword, - the meaning of the verse of the sword, - the concept of peace in Islam through the Prophet's interest in peace and its prioritization over fundamental rights, - misinterpreted hadiths, - the Prophet's conquests, - the Islamic principles over which peace is based.
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