Islam is NOT a missionary religion. The huge conquests into Africa and Europe were political, not religious. Strict rules were enforced, yes, but they would prefer people did not convert. It was easier to control them that way, because as non-Muslims they had fewer rights, and were not allowed to carry arms among other things. There was also the benefit of increased revenue from non-Muslims.
Of course, because Muslims enjoyed more rights than others, people did convert - but no one was by any means forced.
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