5/23/2015 salon.com: These guys are painfully wrong about Islam: 3 things that every anti-Muslim zealot needs to admit - Qasim Rashid

Why do defenders of Islam do this? Just as he accuses Jeffrey Taylor of ignoring realities of Islam, he does the same in an attempt to validate his argument.

Mr. Rashid writes:
For example, Tayler's claim that "Prophet Muhammad was a triumphant warlord leading military campaigns that spread Islam throughout Arabia" is but one example of the numerous historical fantasies he writes; a fantasy that is wholly contradictory to Prophet Muhammad's well established rules of war. (SPOILER: Islam forbids spreading faith by the sword and permits fighting only in self-defense).

So I reference Mr. Rashid's "Prophet Muhammad's Rules of War" and find Surah 22:40-41 presented to support his claim "Islam forbids spreading faith by the sword and permits fighting only in self-defense".

Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged... Those who have been driven out from their homes unjustly only because they said, 'Our Lord is God' -- And if God did not repel some men by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down temples and churches and synagogues and mosques... (22:40-41).

I read this and think: OK, fighting is permitted to defend Islam. But something is missing. Oh yes. The word "only".

Then I reference the Quran:

Remember when your lord revealed to the angels, "Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks and smite over all their fingers and toes." Quran, Surah 8:12

Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay Jezyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. Quran Surah 9:29

Clearly the Quran advocates "spreading faith by the sword".

I have read the Quran. I recall no verse that specifically promotes lying to support the advancement of Islam. However, by stating Islam "permits fighting only in self-defense", Mr. Rashid obviously subscribes to this often claimed premise.