Muhammad Announces the Sword as an Instrument of Faith
For thirteen long years, Muhammad had depended on argument and persuasion to make proselytes, to convert people to the faith. This was about to change.

From Washinton Irving’s sublime book, Mohammed, I have discovered just a few paragraphs which, in my opinion, encapsulate the problems we face with Islam – not Islamism*! – today, for in these relatively few words, Washington Irving shows us exactly the true nature of this religion of the sword. If Muhammad himself stated categorically and unequivocally that the sword was to be considered an ‘instrument of faith’, then who are we to argue? - ©Mark

His exhortations to them to bear with patience and long-suffering the violence of their enemies almost emulated the meek precept of our Saviour, ‘if they smite thee on the one cheek, turn to them the other also.’ He now arrived at a point where he completely diverged from the celestial spirit of the Christian doctrines, and stamped his religion with the alloy of fallible mortality. His human nature was not capable of maintaining the sublime forbearance he had hitherto inculcated. Thirteen years of meek endurance had been rewarded by nothing but aggravated injury and insult. His greatest persecutors had been those of his own tribe, the Koreishites, especially those of the rival line of Abd Shems; whose vindictive chief, Abu Sofian, had now the sway of Mecca. By their virulent hostility his fortunes had been blasted; his family degraded, impoverished, and dispersed, and he himself driven into exile. […] He had come to Medina, a fugitive seeking asylum, and craving merely a quiet home. In a little while, and probably to his own surprise, he found an army at his command; for among the many converts daily made in Medina – the fugitives flocking to him from Mecca, and proselytes from the tribes of the desert – were men of resolute spirit, skilled in the use of arms, and fond of partisan warfare. Human passions and mortal resentments were awakened by this sudden accession of power. They mingled with that zeal for religious reform, which was still his predominant motive. In the exaltations of his enthusiastic spirit he endeavoured to persuade himself, and perhaps did so effectually, that the power thus placed within his reach was intended as a means of effecting his great purpose, and that he was called upon by divine command to use it. Such, at least, is the purport of the memorable manifesto which he issued at this epoch, and which changed the whole tone and fortunes of his faith.

Different prophets [said he] have been sent by God to illustrate his different attributes: Moses his clemency and providence; Solomon his wisdom, majesty, and glory; Jesus Christ his righteousness, omniscience, and power – his righteousness by purity of conduct; his omniscience by the knowledge he displayed of the secrets of all hearts; his power by the miracles he wrought. None of these attributes, however, have been sufficient to enforce conviction, and even the miracles of Moses and Jesus have been treated with unbelief. I, therefore, the last of the prophets, am sent with the sword! Let those who promulgate my faith enter into no argument nor discussion, but slay all who refuse obedience to the law. Whoever fights for the true faith, whether he fall or conquer, will assuredly receive a glorious reward.

The sword [added he] is the key of heaven and hell; all who draw it in the cause of the faith will be rewarded with temporal advantages; every drop shed of their blood, every peril and hardship endured by them, will be registered on high as more meritorious than even fasting or praying. If they fall in battle, their sins will at once be blotted out, and they will be transported to paradise, there to revel in eternal pleasures in the arms of black-eyed houris. [Source: Washington Irving: Mohammed]

*Interestingly, Washington Irving uses the term 'Islamism' in his book, but the term refers to Islam itself!

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – USA)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardcover – USA)