Islam in History

ISLAM IN HISTORY In obedience to these injunctions of Christ, his followers left Palestine. After Christ had left the world, they spread over different cities and countries. They propagated their religion peacefully and those who embraced their faith also adopted the path of peace in propagating the divine message. In this way, the spread of Christianity continued from generation to generation. As a result of this non-aggressive activity on the part of the followers of Christ, within a period of two hundred years after the advent of Christianity, it spread to many eastern countries. Subsequently, these Christians entered Europe. Here they were initially faced with great difficulties. However, they quietly began propagating Christianity until the time came when the European Emperor Constantine the Great came under its influence, converted to Christianity in 337 A.D. and proclaimed it to be the official religion of his empire. Subsequently, the majority of Europeans entered the Christian fold. The Quran tells us that during the life of Christ, God decreed that the followers of Christ should prevail over their enemies. In the third chapter of the Quran, addressing Christ, God said: “I shall.... Exalt your followers above them (the disbelievers) till the Day of Resurrection.” (3:55). Similarly, in chapter 61, the Quran has this to say: We aided the believers (in Christ) against their enemies, and they triumphed over them. (61:14). Here the question arises as to how the followers of Christ came to dominate them. Surely this did not come about as a result of war and violence. For neither by the Quran, nor by historical records can it be established that