Idolatry, not monotheism, drew Islam’s earliest forced-conversion zeal

Evidence

This freedom of religion was not granted toward pagan idolaters. Apart from the brief episode of the satanic verses, Muslim doctrine on idolatry is clear: it is evil. Idols must be eliminated, and Muslim troops often destroyed them and their temples. Arab tribes who converted to Islam were asked to destroy their own idols as proof of their clear break with the past. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 244

Categorization

• XREF: Distinguishes the target of early Muslim violence (idolaters, not Jew/Christian scripture-holders) — crucial nuance for vault arguments separating medieval construction from the actual target set.