Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
The basic principle is that entering Islam is not achieved by forcing a person to profess faith without believing it, because true faith is based on sincere belief and acceptance, and these cannot be created in the heart through force or coercion.
Allah says:
“There is no compulsion in religion. The right path has become distinct from the wrong.”
[Al-Baqarah: 256]
And He says:
“Would you then force people to become believers?”
[Yunus: 99]
The Messenger ﷺ was commanded to convey Allah’s message and make the truth clear to people. As for guiding hearts and placing faith within them, that belongs to Allah.
Qur’anic commentators have mentioned different explanations concerning the context and interpretation of the verse “There is no compulsion in religion,” including its connection with rulings concerning the People of the Scripture and jizyah under an Islamic state. Muslim jurists also discussed the relationship between this verse and verses concerning fighting, and they differed regarding some details of the rulings of jizyah and from whom it may be accepted.
However, a distinction must be made between forcing a person to believe and the rulings concerning warfare and relations between states and communities in Islamic jurisprudence. Not every verse concerning fighting is a command to force individuals to change their beliefs.
Allah says:
“And say, ‘The truth is from your Lord. Whoever wills, let him believe; and whoever wills, let him disbelieve.’”
[Al-Kahf: 29]
This does not mean that Islam considers belief and disbelief equal in terms of truth and falsehood. Rather, it indicates that a person is allowed to make a choice and will then be accountable before Allah for that choice.
Therefore, non-Muslims are invited to Islam with wisdom, clear explanation, and gracious argument, as Allah says:
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in the best manner.”
[An-Nahl: 125]
In summary: Islam calls people to worship Allah alone and explains that this is the path to salvation. However, mere coercion cannot create faith within the heart. True faith requires sincere belief and acceptance. As for the rulings concerning warfare and jizyah, they belong to another area of Islamic jurisprudence, with their own rulings and circumstances, and should not be reduced to the question of forcing an individual to embrace Islam.
And Allah knows best.