Was Islam spread by the sword or by buying followers with money, and is this what verse 60 of Surah At-Tawbah and Al-Qurtubi's interpretation of the term "those whose hearts are to be reconciled" refer to?

Verse 60 of Surat At-Tawbah (definition) refers to the recipients of charity, among whom are "those whose hearts are to be reconciled." Al-Qurtubi said that they are a people who outwardly embraced Islam due to the weakness of their conviction, or disbelievers who are given charity to reconcile them to Islam, or people who outwardly embraced Islam and are given charity to firmly establish faith in them, or great polytheist leaders who have followers and are given charity to reconcile their followers. The purpose of this is to give to those whose Islam cannot be established except through it, and it is a type of jihad. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave to those whose hearts were to be reconciled, such as Abu Sufyan and Safwan ibn Umayyah and others, to reconcile their hearts. Safwan even said that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was the most detested person to him, but he gave to him until he became the most beloved person to him. Similarly, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to give to the weak-hearted and withhold from those dearest to him due to his knowledge of the strength of their faith. At the end of the answer, there is an invitation to unify God and enter Islam.