No Place for Forced Conversions in Islam: Then Who Are These People?

According to Islamic scholars, Islam strictly forbids imposing religion on anyone. The Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256), clearly states: “La ikraha fid-deen” — “There is no compulsion in religion.” Similarly, Surah Yunus (10:99) declares that if Allah had willed, the entire world would have been Muslim, but He chose otherwise, meaning no human can compel another to believe.

Renowned Islamic jurist Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi emphasized that even if someone accepts Islam, it is not valid until it is proven that the decision was made freely, without any coercion.

Prophet Muhammad himself never forced anyone to embrace Islam. In a Hadith, a man who had converted to Islam later wanted to return to his former faith, and the Prophet let him go willingly. Even Caliph Umar, the Prophet’s successor, ensured that no one felt pressured to enter Islam.

Islamic history and scriptures repeatedly make it clear that conversion by deceit, greed, enticement, or force is a grave sin in Islam.

So the question arises — who are these people luring innocent girls into forced conversions?
If Islam deems forced conversion haram, then such criminals are not true followers of Islam but extremists and radical-minded individuals, tarnishing humanity in the name of religion.