Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

A misconception about Submission to God (Islam in Arabic) is that it's a an aggressive and violent religion, and that the Prophet Muhammad spread Islam across Arabia by the sword, as did invaders in various parts of Asia. But this is simply not true. Would a prophet of God be the first to break God's commandment? Early in the Quran, God says:

[Quran 2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient. 


How to spread God's Message is spelled out in the Quran: 

[16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones. 

Thus, the Quran emphasizes not only the invitation to God's word, but also doing so in the best possible manner. There is no obligation of Islam on non-believers. Submitters don't coerce, threaten or use any kind of violence in inviting to God's religion. The Quran guarantees maximum freedom for people, including the freedom of religion (Quran 2:256, 10:99, 88:21-22, 18:29).


Peace.


References
No Compulsion in Religion: http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/SP/2010/may/page1.html
What Price A Great Nation http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix36.html
Quran: All You Need for Salvation http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix18.html
Striving or Jihad in Submission  http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/perspectives/striving/