A Critical Study of the Orientalists` Views on the Part of Holy War in Spreading Islam during Prophet`s Lifetime

Rapid spread of Islam in Prophet`s lifetime has attracted the attention of scholars, in particular, that of orientalists. They know the spread of Islam due to numerous agents; yet they know holy war as the main. This paper has presented a classification of orientalists in brief at first and, then, assessed and criticized the view claiming holy war as the main agent. Finally, it deals with the tax paid by people of the Book and primary holy war as two agents thought by orientalists as misuse of power in spreading Islam. It has been made clear that the tax has been taken in turn for the services of the governments and primary holy war for defending Divine and human rights and preparing the grounds for optional faith.