Did Prophet Muhammad Enforce Islam with a Sword?

By Dr. Aslam Abdullah

The Pope, the most revered figure in the Catholic world, the infallible, to his followers, and the representative of God to his co-religionist quoted a 14th century monarch in his argument about Jihad. The quote of the emperor was a political statement within the context of his relations with the emerging Ottoman dynasty, not worthy of giving any credibility. Yet, the Pope chose to repeat it.

The speech writers of the Pope should be better educated when making reference to other religions. If they have looked at the book The Spread of Islam in the World: A History of Peaceful Preaching, written by none other than the 19th century historian Professor Thomas Arnold, they might not have quoted the passage of the emperor.

Stronger than the book are the words of Prophet Muhammad himself with regard to Christians. In 628 CE he sent a charter of freedom to of St. Catherine Monastery in Mt. Sinai, they would have found a different image of the Prophet. Here is the letter written to the monks. This letter was written at a time when no one was talking about freedom of religion or the pluralism or protection of human life.

This is a message from Muhammad bin Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.

Verily, the servants, the helpers, my followers, and I defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them.

Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries.

No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses.

Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.

No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight.

The Muslims are to fight for them.

If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.

Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.

No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).

Does this letter leave anything out to counter the claim of the Byzantine emperor that Prophet Muhammad preached his faith with sword? I leave it to the Pope to judge by himself?

Saint Catherines Monastery 

The Monastery was built in the 6th century A.D or the 4th century A.D., according to various sources. It is located at the foot of Mount Sinai on one of Wadi al-Sheikhs branches, and rises about 5012 feet above sea level. In 545 A.D, the Monastery was constructed by King Postilianos to be a fortress for Sinai monks. It comprises several monuments that presumably date back to Christ’s era. In addition, the monastery houses a large library that is south to the big Church. The library consists of three adjacent rooms and comprises about 6000 old historical, geographical and philosophic manuscripts, written in Greek, Syriac and Arabic.

The monastery manuscripts were written in many different languages.  Most of the Christian heritage manuscripts were written in Arabic, especially the copies of the Old Testament and the New Testament (The Bible).

A new museum has been recently inaugurated inside Saint Catherine Monastery with help from American experts from the the Metropolitan Museums of New York. The new museum houses distinguished collections of rare books and volumes written in Greek, Coptic, Syriac, Latin and Arabic which date back to the first seven centuries A.D.

al-O’hda al-Muhamadeias, is one of the most significant acquisitions in the Monastery.  This is the document on protecting Egypt’s Christians, signed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).  This document dates back to the year 2 A.H.

Fortunately, all these acquisitions and monumental treasures were kept in the dry, clean weather in the heart of Sinai desert for long centuries. Thus, they are still in a good condition. Furthermore, the monastery is notable for its artistic, historic and religious wealth, including Byzantine icons that were painted by the monastery monks, dating back to the period from the 6th to the 9th centuries A.D.

Aslam Abdullah is director of the Islamic Society of Nevada, He is also editor in chief of the weekly Muslim Observer as well as the acting president of the newly formed Washington Based Muslim Council of America.