Bismillah. In a time when misinformation about Islam spreads faster than ever, it becomes an obligation upon those who know the truth to speak it clearly and with wisdom. Steven Crowder, the American-Canadian conservative political commentator, has once again launched attacks against Islam, claiming it was “entirely spread through violence and conquest since its inception.” On this episode of The Deen Show, historical analyst Omar of the Orient joins host Eddie to dismantle these false claims with evidence, context, and the light of authentic history — proving that the real story of how Islam spread is one of justice, mercy, and the nobility of character that Allah placed within this Ummah.
Was Islam Really Spread by the Sword? History Says Otherwise
One of the most persistent lies repeated by critics like Steven Crowder is that Islam was forced upon people at the tip of a sword. Yet when we look at the largest Muslim populations in the world — Indonesia, Malaysia, West Africa — none of these lands were ever conquered by Muslim armies. Islam reached them through trade, through the noble character of Muslim merchants, and through the undeniable truth of Tawheed. Even in lands that were opened through military campaigns, the historical record tells a very different story than what Crowder would have you believe:
- Egypt: One of the first lands opened by Muslims, it took 300-400 years for the population to become majority Muslim — a clear proof there were no forced conversions, Alhamdulillah.
- Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain): Under Muslim rule, Jews, Christians, and Muslims coexisted peacefully in what historians call La Convivencia — the golden age of coexistence. The greatest rabbi of all time, Maimonides (Rambam), flourished under Islamic governance.
- The Philippines: Muslims ruled parts of the islands for centuries without forcing the population to convert, whereas when the Spanish arrived, they forcefully converted the entire population to Catholicism.
- The Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) conquest of Makkah: He granted clemency to the entire city — thousands of people — except nine individuals, and even forgave five of those afterward. SubhanAllah, what mercy!
“If Islam is against people, why would the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) create the Constitution of Madinah protecting the rights of Jews, Christians, and even pagans? The very first political document in Islam was about protecting rights and sharing responsibilities between all people.” — Omar of the Orient
The Real History of Forced Conversions — And It Was Not the Muslims
The irony that Omar highlights so powerfully is that Crowder and those like him are “sitting in a glass house throwing rocks.” When the Franks conquered Al-Andalus, their policy was forced conversion or exile — and they even carried the Inquisition across the ocean to Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines, hunting down Muslims who practiced their faith in secret. Meanwhile, Islam’s 1,400-year history shows that when Muslims governed, they protected religious minorities and allowed them to practice freely. The Coptic Christians of Egypt, the Jews of Al-Andalus, the diverse communities under Ottoman rule in Sarajevo — these are historical facts, not propaganda. As for the Barbary Wars that Crowder references, piracy and naval warfare were standard practice between all nations at the time — the Muslims did nothing different from the French or the British.
Understanding the Shia-Sunni Division and the Situation in Iran
- The origin of Shia: The term “Shia” simply means a political party or faction. It began as a political dispute between two great Companions — Ali and Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with them both). Over time, theological differences developed, just as sects developed in Christianity.
- Iran’s history: Iran followed orthodox Islam for its first 600 years. About 500 years ago, the Safavid ruler Shah Ismail I forcefully converted the population to Shiaism due to a political dispute with the Ottomans — something Muslims strongly condemn.
- The Muslim position: We stand against oppression regardless of whether it comes from those who call themselves Sunni, Shia, or anything else. Justice is the standard, not sectarian labels.
- Hope for the future: Omar reminds us that Allah is the Best of Planners. Just as Salahuddin united the Muslims after the Crusaders held Jerusalem for 100 years, and just as the grandson of Genghis Khan — Berke Khan — converted to Islam and turned a quarter of the Mongol Empire Muslim, Allah can bring victory from where we least expect it, in sha Allah.
“I only have hope for the future. Allah has done this before. Who would have known the grandson of Genghis Khan would convert to Islam and take a quarter of the Mongol Empire and make it Muslim? You might find that someone from anywhere converts to Islam and begins a revolution of hearts and minds. Why can’t Allah do it again?” — Omar of the Orient
The Real Message: Islam Is Submission to the Creator, Not the Creation
At its core, the faith of Islam is what every prophet called to — from Adam to Abraham to Moses to Jesus to Muhammad (peace be upon them all). It is the pure monotheism, the Tawheed, that recognizes Allah alone as worthy of worship. Whether it was the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) enduring 13 years of persecution in Makkah without raising a hand, or the Muslim merchants whose honesty and character drew entire nations to the truth in Southeast Asia, the spread of Islam has always been rooted in sincerity, justice, and the irresistible beauty of the truth. For anyone sincerely seeking answers — whether you have heard Steven Crowder’s claims, or have questions about Iran, Shia Islam, or the history of this Ummah — we invite you to study the evidence, ask the Creator of the heavens and the earth for guidance, and let the truth speak for itself. May Allah guide us all to what is right and just.
