This is absolutely mistaken. In reality Islam does not permit the murder of innocent people. It is stated in the Koran, "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." During the time of Islam's revelation, there were many holy wars, known as jihad. Holy wars were sometimes used to expand Islam’s boundaries and defend Islam. It is certainly true that sometimes Islam was spread through wars. However, most of it was spread through preaching, negotiations and exposure.

For instance, Indonesia, Malaysia, and China have some of the highest populations of Muslims in the world, yet no jihads have ever taken place in any of those areas. People had been exposed to Islam through Muslim traders and missionaries, and decided to convert to Islam through the examples that the Muslims portrayed to them.

Also, in history when the Mongols invaded Europe, Iran, and eventually stopped in Egypt, the majority of them had switched their religion to Islam.  Jeff Siddiqui commented: "It is apparent that the Mongols were not converted by the sword, because after all, they were the ones that held the sword."