Source : Internet 

Did Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. spread Islam by the sword ?

It is just another one of those blames put on Islam by haters to defame it & its followers.

This allegation that-Islam was spread by the sword-have been deliberately spread since earlier days to malign Islam. At that time, people didn't have much means to gain knowledge & learn about reality, but today the reality check can be done quite easily as there are a lot of means and proves available on various platforms (like the internet, social media etc.) to refute the claim.

Defending the past incidences won't be fruitful as there will be people who will still not believe in what we would tell them about the past, so Leaving the past, let's discuss the current scenario. Isn't Islam one of the fastest-growing religions in the world? In Europe, the USA, Japan, India, etc., Islam is one of the most rapidly growing faiths. The question is: Who is spreading Islam in these places through the sword or by force?

Everywhere in the world, force and power are being used against Muslims. Whether it is China abusing & exploiting the rights of Uyghur Muslims, Myanmar burning Rohingya Muslims, the US bombing Yemen & Syrian Muslims or Muslims killing other Muslims, we find that the Muslims are the people who are being killed in large numbers by others and they are the most oppressed community in the world. Thus, they don't have that much power to spread Islam by force; still, Islam is among the fastest-growing religions in the world. Which sword is doing this? People must ponder over the question that: What is making people enter Islam if it is not the sword or any other compulsion?

If you make a list of people who have converted to different religions, you will find that an overwhelming majority of converts who are scientists, intellectuals, artists and celebrities have entered Islam than any other faith. What is it about Islam that makes these intellectuals & celebrities turn towards it? One must think about it. These influential people choose Islam without any force and pressure.

Thus, such allegations (like the sword or money being used to spread Islam) are just another blame on Islam & the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). When people don't find anything to harm Islam, they use these kinds of false propaganda to serve their purpose. We can only request people to study the facts to find out the truth instead of believing such widespread lies. When analysed justly, they will certainly find those qualities in Islam that have let people believe in its truth.

ANSWER given by :  WORK , lives in Rampur , Uttar Pradesh (1988-present)