A few days ago RT (Russia Today) TV disclosed that during 2000 Christians formed 25% of ME population while now there are only 5%. Students of world history also know that Spain had almost 100% Muslim population, which was reduced to almost nil subsequent to the Christian conquest, when people were converted at the point of sword after thousands of killings excused by a simple apology centuries later by the Pope. We also have UNOstatistics indicating that the population of Muslims in the world doubled during the period from 1935 to 1985, putting an end to the myth that Islam is spread at the point of sword.
It is a fact that right from the beginning Muslims believed in adherence to principles rather than in numbers. At the demise of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), Abu Bakr said, ‘O people, whoso hath been wont to worship Muhammad – verily Muhammad is dead; whoso hath been wont to worship Allah – verily Allah is living and dieth not.’ Then he recited the verses which had been revealed after the Battle of Uhd: ‘Muhammad is but a messenger, and messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or be slain, will ye then turn upon your heals? Whoso turneth upon his heals will thereby do no hurt unto Allah; and Allah will reward the thankful.’
The Islamic Jihad during the reign of the Prophet changed the very concept of war and made it as benign as peace. The idea of peace itself underwent a metamorphosis. It became a creed rather than a policy. Both war and peace, in fact turned into a vow of belief.
The following reforms brought about by the Prophet, in this respect surpass any improvement ever dreamt by mankind, in the matter at issue. :
-Aggression was banned;
-An agreement was to be literally followed and strictly adhered to;
-The enemy was forewarned before any attack, except that sneaking bandits were suddenly raided;
-Children, women, the aged, the sick, the non-combatant, along with crops and buildings, were always spared, unless a particular plantation or place became an instrument of mischief;
-Mutilation of fallen soldiers and torture of a prisoner were not permitted;
-Looting of hostile camps was discouraged and booty was disallowed as an objective;
-Even belligerents were, as such, given the option either to embrace the faith or just to yield tribute and those opting for tribute were protected against outrage and aggression;
– Prisoners of war were treated like honourable guests; they were released on very easy terms, sometimes even unconditionally; teaching a few students was also taken as ransom; slaves and slave girls , too, were absorbed by the society on equal terms, in all human affairs;
-Mostly small contingents were dispatched with emissaries or missionaries to guard them against any treacherous attack; and
-Prayers were to be offered, even in the thick of a battle. Jihad meant struggle in the way of Allah, with great restraint, temperance, nobility and mercy unlike any other so-called holy war.