Islam is a religion of peace, as it teaches followers to adhere to the example of the Prophet Muhammad and the rightly-guided caliphs.

The assertion that Islam is a religion of peace is often based on selective interpretations of Islamic texts and the actions of early Muslim leaders. The Prophet Muhammad and the rightly-guided caliphs were involved in numerous military campaigns and conflicts, which contradicts the idea of a purely peaceful religion. For instance, the early Islamic conquests were marked by battles that expanded the Muslim empire, raising questions about the peaceful nature of these actions. Moreover, the teachings attributed to Muhammad emphasize obedience to the caliphs, who were not always peaceful leaders. The Hadiths that encourage followers to cling to the Sunnah of the caliphs can be interpreted as endorsing their actions, which included violence in the name of Islam. This historical context is crucial in understanding the complexities of Islamic teachings and their implications for peace. Additionally, the concept of peace in Islam is often defined in terms of submission to Allah's will, which can lead to justifications for violence against those perceived as enemies of the faith. This understanding of peace is not aligned with the common Western notion of peace as the absence of conflict. Therefore, while Islam may promote peace in some aspects, the historical and scriptural evidence suggests that it is not solely a religion of peace.