Is there any Compulsion in Islam??

How many of us use the excuse that there is no compulsion in Islam? 

Yusuf Estes and Mutahir Sabree has something to say abt the issue ..


[لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّينِ]

(There is no compulsion in religion), meaning, "Do not force anyone to become Muslim, for Islam is plain and clear, and its proofs and evidence are plain and clear. Therefore, there is no need to force anyone to embrace Islam. Rather, whoever Allah directs to Islam, opens his heart for it and enlightens his mind, will embrace Islam with certainty. Whoever Allah blinds his heart and seals his hearing and sight, then he will not benefit from being forced to embrace Islam.'' http://quran.com/2/256 


It was reported that the Ansar were the reason behind revealing this Ayah, although its indication is general in meaning. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas said [that before Islam], "When (an Ansar) woman would not bear children who would live, she would vow that if she gives birth to a child who remains alive, she would raise him as a Jew. When Banu An-Nadir (the Jewish tribe) were evacuated [from Al-Madinah], some of the children of the Ansar were being raised among them, and the Ansar said, `We will not abandon our children.' Allah revealed,


[لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ]
(There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path.)''


The Ayat is mentioned for non-muslim not for muslim! A muslim must obey what Allah has ordained for him, If they dont then they are liable for their actions. As far as forcing is concerned, as long as an individuals actions are have negative consequences on a community as a whole (eg a woman going out in obsene clothings in an Islamic Environment) the authorities do have the right to force them to do the right thing.