Does jihad propagate for Islam by force?
The concept of Jihad does not require Muslims to propagate their religion by force. Jihad simply means "struggle", or struggle in the way of God. Jihad includes a spiritual struggle that takes place in the soul of man against his own lust, greed and other evil passions.
The better known aspect of Jihad is fighting for self defence, or for the establishment of justice, for the safeguarding of freedom etc. Islam views this fight as the last option, taken up only when all other courses are closed. There is a misunderstanding propagated by vested interests that Islam wants its adherents to fight against Non-Muslims. This is not true.
What Islam teaches is to do da'wa or peaceful propagation of its teachings. The Qur'an, which is the Holy Book of the Muslims says:
Let there be no compulsion in religion.
Say the Truth is from your Lord; whoever wishes to believe, let him believe; and whoever wishes to disbelieve, let him
disbelieve.
Just as the Christian missionaries speak of those unreached peoples who should be evangelized, the Muslims too may speak of those who should be 'invited or called' (the literal meaning of the word da'wa) to Islam. That is all.
I hope this answers your question.
Allah knows best.
http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=1783
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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