Early Islam saw no tension between humble prophecy and political conquest

Evidence

Things look different from the perspective of early Islam. God crowned Muslims with success from the beginning, it seemed: there was no need to vilify earthly power or to explain away political and miliary success. Christian writers from the seventh century to the twentieth reproach the Prophet for his political and military success, arguing that prophets do not spread the Word through the sword. While Muslim texts portray Muhammad as passive in his role of messenger, humbly transmitting the word of God, he is aggressive in pursuing the interests of Islam, in forging the Muslim state. There is no contradiction here: one must humbly submit to God’s will but firmly and unhesitatingly serve his law. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 233 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Islam’s early fusion of religion and politics was not unique among world religions — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of…, 316; Early Islam saw worldly success as confirming prophecy rather than contradicting it — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 233

Broader Connections

• Early Islam saw worldly success as confirming prophecy rather than contradicting it #corroborates (0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 233