Did Islam spread by the sword?

Q: For further benefit, what is your opinion of those who say that Islam spread by the sword, and we want to refute them with a logical response?

A: This statement, taken in its absolute form, is invalid. Islam spread through the call to Allah and was supported by the sword. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed it through the call in Mecca for thirteen years, and then in Medina before he was commanded to fight. The Companions and the Muslims spread across the earth and called people to Allah, and those who refused were fought; because the sword is the means of enforcement. Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Hadid: 25] And Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Anfal: 39] So those who refused were fought for their own benefit and salvation, just as it is obligatory to compel one who owes a right to a creation to perform that right, even if it requires imprisonment or beating, and he is not considered wronged. So how can it be criticized or found strange to compel one who owes a right to Allah to perform His right? How much more so for the greatest of rights and the most obligatory, which is the oneness of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and leaving the association of partners with Him? And among the mercy of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) is that He prescribed jihad against the polytheists and fighting them until they worship Allah alone and leave the worship of anything other than Him, and in that lies their happiness and salvation in this world and the Hereafter. And success is from Allah.