somebozo
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I'm also a skeptic of Islam but I disagree with you on the Muhammad part. I do not believe that Muhammad is infallible or something, he was an ordinary human being and has his share of mistakes too. But aggressive warfare and expansionism wasn't undertaken under Muhammad's leadership. The wars were only with enemies (meccans) or conspirators (Banu Qurayza) and Muhammad did what any pragmatic leader would.
However, after Muhammad's death, with the 4 khalifas it's a different story altogether. At this point I would agree with you that jihad and warfare was used by the 4 khalifas and predecessors to spread Islam aggressively.
If you sow a seed it takes time to grow into a tree.
While Muhammed did not take up aggressive warfare to spread islam - he certainly provided the future direction and motivation to do so. There are numerous prophecies about the conquest of Persia, fall of Roman-Arabia and even blessing for the conquer of Constantinople.
Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily, Constantinople shall be conquered, its commander shall be the best commander ever and his army shall be the best army ever.
It is also very obvious that all the conquest of Roman-Arabia, Persia and Constantinople were motivated and urged due to their material wealth and richness - which makes Islam a doctrine of imperialism rather than a religion.