Was Islam Spread by The Sword?

Praise be to Allah.
Undoubtedly taking the initiative in fighting has a great effect in spreading Islam and bringing people into the religion of Allah in crowds. Hence the hearts of the enemies of Islam are filled with fear of jihad. The Orientalists wanted to slander Islam by claiming that it was spread by the sword.
The defeatists among the moslems come out to defend Islam, and they want to disavow Islam of this so-called lie, so they deny that Islam was spread by the sword, and they say that jihad is not prescribed in Islam, except in the case of self-defence. The purpose is that all religion should be for Allah alone, and that the word of Allah should be supreme. Allah says:
“And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power (in matters of war), as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help Him (His religion) and His Messengers in the unseen”
[al-Hadeed 27:25]
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commanded us to strike with this, meaning the sword, whoever turns away from this, meaning the Qur’aan.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Faroosiyyah (p.18):
Allah sent him – meaning the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) – with the guiding Book and the conquering sword, ahead of the Hour, so that Allah alone would be worshipped with no partner or associate, and his provision was placed beneath the shade of his sword and spear. Allah has established the religion of Islam with proof and evidence, and with the sword and spear, both together and inseparable.

The evidence clearly indicates that the sword is one of the most important means that led to the spread of Islam.
1. Allah says:
“For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and masjids, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely, have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty”
[al-Hajj 22:40]
“And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. But Allah is full of bounty to the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)”
[al-Baqarah 2:251]

2. Allah has commanded us to prepare the means of fighting against the kuffaar and frightening them.
If Islam was only spread by peaceful means, what would the kuffaar have to be afraid of?
3. When the messenger called people to Islam, his call was accompanied by the sword, and he commanded his leaders to do likewise, so that when the people saw the serious of the moslems in calling people to their religion, that dispelled any confusion.
Al-Bukhaari and Moslem narrated that Sahl ibn Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said on the day of Khaybar: “Tomorrow I will give the banner to a man at whose hands victory will come, one who loves Allah and His messenger, and Allah and His messenger love him.”
Moslem narrated that Buraydah said: When the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) appointed a commander to lead an army or a raiding party, he would advise him to fear Allah with regard to himself and the Moslems with him, then he said: “Fight in the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Fight those who disbelieve in Allah, fight but do not steal from the war booty (before it is shared out), betray, or mutilate. Then call them to Islam and if they respond, accept that from them and leave them alone. Can people be brought in chains except in the case of jihad??
Yes, it is the religion of peace but in the sense of saving all of mankind from worshipping anything other than Allah and submitting all of mankind to the rule of Allah.