ABSTRACT
There are many verses in the Qur’an that clearly state that no one should be forced to accept or follow a particular belief or religion. The duty of the Prophet and the other messengers before him was only to convey the message, not to compel anyone to accept it. The theme of non-imposition of a belief or religion was dominant throughout the Meccan and Medinan periods of the Qur’an. In particular, in Mecca, a message of tolerance was strongly projected. This does not mean that the Qur’anic message changed once the Prophet moved to Medina and founded a stronghold for Islam. Many verses from the Medinan period also indicate clearly that what was required of both the Prophet and the Muslims was to keep conveying the message of God to the people, not by force but by discussion and persuasion.
