I do not accept the notion that Muslims should fight non-Muslims to convert them to Islam. It is a wrong notion and sheer misconception about Islam and its values. Qur’anic verses that teach freedom of faith are so evident and clear-cut that Muslims, since the lifetime of the Prophet until today, lived in peace and co-existed with other faith communities. Qur’anic verses that allow fighting should be understood and interpreted within its context. Fighting is permitted only, according to the Qur’an, in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. The Qur’an says:

{Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 190)

The Qur’an says again,

{If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that hears and knows all things.} (Al-Anfal 8: 61)

The basic principle of Islam is that Muslims should spread peace, justice, and security all over the world. It is not Islamically justified to coerce anyone to convert to Islam. Allah Almighty says,

{Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 256)

One of the fundamental truths established by the texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah is that no one can be compelled to accept or convert to Islam. It is the duty of Muslims to translate the Islamic ethics and values into practice in order to practically show people the real meaning of Islam. Muslims are to establish the proof of Islam to people so that truth can be made clear from falsehood. After that, whoever wishes to accept Islam may do so and whoever wishes to continue upon unbelief may do so. No one should be threatened or harmed in any way if he or she does not wish to accept Islam.

The Qur’an makes it clear that people are free to choose their faith with no coercion, saying,

{If it had been your Lord’s will, all of the people on Earth would have believed. Would you then compel the people so to have them believe?} (Yunus 10: 99)

{And say: "The truth from your Lord (has come in this Qur'an). " Then, whoever wills (to believe), let him believe; and whoever wills (to disbelieve), let him disbelieve.} (Al-Kahf 18: 29)

Moreover, the noble Qur’an and the sunnah call on Muslims to cooperate with all human communities—irrespective of their cultures, faiths, or races—on goodness for the sake of peoples’ wellbeing and interests. The Qur’an says, {And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.} (Al-Ma’idah 5: 2)

Allah also says, {God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loves those who are just.} (Al-Mumtahanh 60: 8)

A Muslim therefore should be kind, peaceful, just, and cooperative with all people irrespective of their faiths, cultures, or races.