After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that in recent days, a Muslim cleric was saying on social media that if there is any disorder in the world, it is because of the ‘Qadianis’. He used this as a means to justify cruelties against Ahmadis and even killing them.
His Holiness (aba) said these are the tactics which they use and this has been the case since the inception of Ahmadiyyat. But it is by the grace of God that we have accepted the Imam of the Age who has taught that upon hearing their words and seeing their efforts against us, we must remain patient. It is such ‘Leaders of the Disbelievers’ who have misguided the general Muslim population who do not know any better, towards treating Ahmadis in a cruel manner. However, those clerics who are knowledgeable know that what they are saying is not based in truth; they merely wish to stir up disorder so that they may maintain their standing amongst people.
His Holiness (aba) said that God knows better what their end will be; our only duty is to pray. His Holiness (aba) said that as he stated in his Eid sermon earlier, it is our duty to pray even for our opponents. This opposition is nothing new, rather it has been occurring since the time of the Promised Messiah (as). He was constantly attacked and so too were those who followed him. In fact they would worry that if people heard what the Promised Messiah (as) had to say, they would accept him. Hence, not only would they stop those who travelled to listen to him, rather they would even attack them. In response however, the Promised Messiah (as) would pray for such people.
His Holiness (aba) said that despite these efforts, people would still accept the Promised Messiah (as), and such is the case today. We will always continue to pray, and thus will we spread love in the world. Even despite listening to the harsh words said about us, we continue to pray for them. God Almighty informed the Promised Messiah (as) that their actions are due to a lack of understanding and their misguided love for the Holy Prophet (sa) - though misguided, they do claim to love him. Hence, God Almighty instructed the Promised Messiah (as) that he should not pray against them, but should rather pray for them.
His Holiness (aba) related an incident narrated by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) who said that once when he was young, the Promised Messiah (as) was in Lahore, and as he walked through the streets, people would stand on their rooftops and curse the Promised Messiah (as). He relates that he even saw an elderly man constantly repeating the same curses. On another occasion, someone attacked the Promised Messiah (as) from behind and it is even related that at times he would be pelted with stones. Hence these were the hardships which the Promised Messiah (as) would face. However, in a couplet revealed to the Promised Messiah (as), God said that though these people harmed him, they were doing so because they believed it to be out of their love for the Holy Prophet (sa), hence the Promised Messiah (as) should not pray against them but should pray for them.
His Holiness (aba) further quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) who said that if these opponents knew how much he loved the Holy Prophet (sa), they would rush towards Ahmadiyyat. The Promised Messiah (as) said that if such people oppose us, then it is due to their misunderstandings. Hence, we should pray for them, and enlighten them.
His Holiness (aba) said that we should pray for our opponents, for it is from them that people will eventually accept the Promised Messiah (as). Once, a companion of the Promised Messiah (as) heard the Promised Messiah (as) weeping profusely in prayer. He heard him praying to God that the plague had spread, and if all these people died because of it, then who would be left to accept God? This plague had been foretold by the Holy Prophet (sa) as a result of people’s disbelief and it was also foretold in prophecies vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah (as). Yet when the plague spread, the Promised Messiah (as) prayed for the very people due to which it manifested.
His Holiness (aba) said that hence, we cannot pray against such people, rather we must help save them by praying for them. Ahmadiyyat has been established for the very reason of saving Muslims. Hence, we have been tasked with helping people reach great heights, how then can we pray against them? We know that though there is a faction of our opponents which has simply been influenced by them, but then, there is another faction which has simply followed their lead. But once they realise how much Ahmadis love the Holy Prophet (sa), they themselves will attest that Ahmadis are those in the world who are upholding the honor of the Holy Prophet (sa). And we are seeing that those who had once been influenced by the opponents are now realising the truth and accepting Ahmadiyyat.
His Holiness (aba) said that there are many people who write letters to him saying that when they sincerely pondered and searched for the truth, they eventually saw the light and now wish to accept Ahmadiyyat. This has been the case since the time of the Promised Messiah (as) and with all the other Caliphs as well. Hence, when the opponents raise their voices and take actions against us, they are doing our work by spreading our message in ways which we may not have been able to.
His Holiness (aba) said that our responsibility is to pray and remain patient. This is the best course of action which will lead us to success. Our duty is to keep our thoughts and hearts free from any malice towards other Muslims. We must continue to pray that may Allah enable them to see the truth and may they accept the Imam of the Age.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.
After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aa) stated:
A few days ago, a Maulvi Sahib [Muslim cleric] was saying on social media that all the unrest and disorder that is witnessed in the world today is due to the “Qadianis” [Ahmadis]. In fact, he said that even the unrest in Palestine was due to the Qadianis. And then, as they always do, he stated that whatever injustices, killings and violence is carried out against Ahmadis is therefore justified.
Thus, this is their level of conduct and these are the kind of things they utter. Ever since the establishment of Ahmadiyyat, these people, who are the a‘imatul-kufr [i.e. leaders of the disbelievers], have been saying such things. However, we express infinite gratitude to Allah the Almighty for we have accepted the Messiah and Mahdi, who taught us that despite listening to their hurtful comments and enduring their physical efforts against us, we ought to display patience and pray.
It is the leaders of the disbelievers, who have incited the innocent Muslims [against Ahmadis] by spreading false information. The general [Muslim] population, perhaps owing to their lack of knowledge, believe that Ahmadis, God-forbid, dishonour the Holy Prophet(sa) and therefore hold the view that such treatment should be meted out against Ahmadis because whatever the maulvi has said must be true.
This is the condition of the general Muslims; however, those maulvis who actually possess knowledge, know full well whatever they say has no basis whatsoever and they simply wish to create disorder, so that they may remain in service at their pulpits and no one may remove them.
Allah the Almighty knows best as to how He will deal with them. However, as I mentioned earlier that our duty is to pray. I mentioned in the Eid Sermon [earlier today] as well that the Promised Messiah(as) stated that one ought to pray even for their enemies. (Malfuzat, Vol. 3, p. 96)
We are those who pray and will continue to go on praying because this opposition is nothing new for us. In fact, this has been there since the advent of the Promised Messiah(as) and such attacks were levelled against the Promised Messiah(as); those who came to listen to him were also attacked.
Some people simply attend the gatherings in order to just listen to what is being said. It is not necessary that they will accept what is being said; however, the maulvis [at the time] would be scared that if these people listen to the Promised Messiah(as), they will do his bai‘at because they knew that the truth was on his side. Therefore, they would stop them, but not just that, they would attack them as well. Despite this, the Promised Messiah(as) prayed for such people who would stop others and carry out injustices.
And it is owing to these very prayers that despite their opposition [of the Jamaat], some of them accepted Ahmadiyyat, and continue to do so even now.
Thus, despite the statement of this maulvi, we do not utter anything negative or use similar language as they do; rather, we will continue to pray for them. And just as we have witnessed in the past as well that it is from among these very people who have then become ardent devotees, and this will, insha-Allah, continue to happen.
Despite listening to their harsh statements, we continue to pray for the Muslims in general. We are pained by their suffering and this indeed is due to the teachings of the Promised Messiah(as) and this was the very instruction given to him by Allah the Almighty as well in that the cruelties which they perpetrate are owing to their misunderstanding and due to their love for the Holy Prophet(sa), which they claim to have, irrespective of whether they actually demonstrate it or not, but nonetheless, this is what their claim is. Therefore, we are not to pray against them.
In relation to this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) has narrated an incident. He states:
“I was only a child at the time and the Promised Messiah(as) was returning after having been invited somewhere. As he was walking through the marketplace, people would be stood on the rooftops and would hurl verbal abuse at him and say, ‘Mirza has fled! Mirza has fled!’”
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) states:
“I couldn’t understand [what they were saying]. I thought perhaps there was some unrest at a gathering and therefore the Promised Messiah(as) was returning from there. In any case, in that very instance, I saw an old man whose hand had been cut and who had applied some turmeric mixture upon it; it seemed as if the wound was very fresh, yet even he was tapping his healthy hand upon his injured hand and was saying in Punjabi, ‘Mirza has fled! Mirza has fled!’ I was astonished, owing to my young age, as to why this man would say that ‘Mirza has fled!’ What exactly had happened as I just could not understand? However, this was simply due to their opposition or perhaps the maulvis had incited the people and so they uttered whatever came into their hearts, irrespective of whether or not they knew anything, but all they wanted to do was simply say something and so they did.”
Similarly, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) relates another incident:
“On one occasion, the Promised Messiah(as) was walking in the city of Lahore and someone attacked him from behind and the Promised Messiah(as) fell down.”
According to other narrations, it is mentioned that the Promised Messiah(as) stumbled but did not actually fall to the ground.” (Sirat Messiah Maud(as), Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani(ra), p. 442)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) further states:
“Similarly, we saw people throw stones [at the Promised Messiah(as)]. In short, in those days, the opposition was at its peak and naturally, at times, certain members of the Jamaat would become angry as to why these people would do this for no reason whatsoever. At that time, the Promised Messiah(as) received a revelation.” Even though this revelation has not been found in any narration as yet; however, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) has stated that this was a revelation. In any case, it is mentioned in the form of a couplet of the Promised Messiah(as):
اے دل تو نیز خاطرِ ایناں نگاہ دار
کآخر کنند دعوئے حُبِّ پیمبرمؐ
(Izala-e-Auham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, p. 182)
“In other words, ‘O Our appointed one!’” If this is a revelation then Allah the Almighty is the one who is instructing him. “‘Even if the Muslims hurl abuse at you, you should still have consideration for them because, after all, why is it that they hurl abuse at you and try to attack you? They attack you and hurl abuse at you because of the Holy Prophet(sa). Thus, it is important you still have consideration for them.’
“The reason why they were acting in such a violent manner was due to their love for the Holy Prophet(sa), who is the beloved of Allah the Almighty. Therefore, whether it was owing to this misunderstanding of theirs or for any other reason, the Promised Messiah(as) [was instructed] to have consideration for them and not pray against them. Therefore, we ought to ponder as to why these people oppose us. They hurl abuse against us and say that [drinking] our tea is even worse than [drinking] alcohol and to drink alcohol would be considered lawful as opposed to drinking the tea of an Ahmadi.”
After mentioning this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) states:
“If such people were to realise that the flame of the love for Holy Prophet(sa) which is in my heart is not even present in millions of their people, they would immediately fall at the feet of Ahmadis. These people oppose us because they think that we oppose the Holy Prophet(sa), but this opposition is owing to the misunderstandings on their part.”
After mentioning this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) further stated:
“If people oppose us and say wrongful things against me, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Community or you, the members of the Jamaat should know that these are your fellow brothers and embroiled in a misunderstanding. Therefore, instead of being angry, you should pray for them and try to inform those who oppose you of the true reality. Once you inform them of the true reality, then they will come to know that we are not the enemies of the Holy Prophet(sa); rather, we are his true lovers and those very people who are bent upon killing us would be ready to sacrifice their lives for our sake.” (Bhera ki Sar Zameen Mein Eik Nihayat Iman Afroz Taqreer, Anwar-ul-Aloom, Vol. 22, pp. 84-86)
Therefore, we ought to pray for our opponents. As I mentioned earlier, this is what the Promised Messiah(as) has taught us that we ought to pray for them and it is from among these people that such ardent devotees will emerge and accept [the message].
Whilst narrating an incident of Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib(ra), Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) states:
“Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib(ra) would relate, ‘I used to live in the upper storey of a house and the Promised Messiah(as) would live in its lower storey. One night, I heard crying from below which was as if a woman was experiencing the pains from labour. I was intrigued and so I tried to listen carefully in order to hear the sound. I realised that the Promised Messiah(as) was praying and was saying, “O Allah, the plague is widespread and people are dying as result of it. O Allah, if all these people were to die, then who shall be left to believe in You.”’”
Then with reference to the same incident, but from a different source, it is stated that the sound was coming from the house adjacent [to the Promised Messiah’s(as) house], but nonetheless, the incident is the same and it states:
“The Promised Messiah(as) was praying that if these people were to die, then who would accept God. Now, one ought to reflect upon this because the plague was a sign that had been foretold by the Holy Prophet(sa) and the plague was also prophesied by Promised Messiah(as) as a sign. However, when the plague emerged, the very person for whom it came as a sign of his truthfulness was supplicating with utmost fervency before God Almighty and prayed, ‘O Allah! If these people die as a result of it, then who shall believe in You.’
“Thus, a believer ought not to pray against the general population because the very objective of a believer is to help save humanity. If one were to pray against them, then how can he save them if the prayer is answered and they all perish as a result of it?
“Ahmadiyyat was established for the very purpose of safeguarding Islam; Ahmadiyyat was established to safeguard the Muslims and to restore their dignity. Therefore, how can we pray against those for whom we have been tasked to help them attain such lofty ranks?”
“God Almighty is far more Honourable than any of you. God Almighty addressed the Promised Messiah(as) in a revelation saying:
“In this [revelation], God Almighty addresses the heart of the Promised Messiah(as) and makes him profess these words.”
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) perhaps delivered this speech in Bhera. He mentioned this same couplet in another instance as well. The first incident was different to this and [that incident] took place in Lahore, whereas this incident took place in Bhera.
“In this [revelation], God Almighty addresses the heart of the Promised Messiah(as) and makes the Promised Messiah(as) say: ‘O my heart! Look out for the feelings and sentiments of the people, lest their hearts become estranged. It should not be the case that you become frustrated and pray against them as they love your Messenger(sa) and it is owing to this love for the Messenger(sa) that they hurl abuse at you.’
“This is the real essence of the matter. We know that amongst those who oppose us, one group is opposing us unjustly, but the other group is opposing us because they have become caught up in the trap of the former.” Most of the people have fallen victim to their ploy in Pakistan or in other countries around the world and for this reason, they oppose us.
“As such, their opposition is due to the love of our Master [the Holy Prophet(sa)]. When they understand that we love the Holy Prophet(sa), they will then realise that we strive to establish the honour of the Holy Prophet(sa) and that they ought to help us. We will certainly see this day, insha-Allah, for how long will this misconception last?”
“A Western author has written, ‘One can deceive the entire world for a few days or you can deceive a few people continuously’” – this indeed is correct – “‘but you can never deceive the entire world forever.’ This means that it is possible to deceive all the people for a few days, or 10 people forever, but it cannot be the case that one deceives the entire world forever.”
And this indeed is true because the truth eventually comes to light and we see that those people who are deceived by others [into opposing Ahmadiyyat], eventually it is they who are accepting Ahmadiyyat. From where are the numbers of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat increasing? It is increasing from those very people who were once with the opponents. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 33, pp. 221-221, Friday Sermon, 18 July 1952)
Thus, one day, this opposition will finish, insha-Allah, and these very people will pledge allegiance to the Promised Messiah(as).
Many people have written to me and write these days as well that after opposing Ahmadiyyat, they were told to read literature and pray; when they prayed and read the literature, the truth became apparent for them and they now wish to pledge allegiance and they eventually join the Jamaat. This practice has existed from before; Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud(ra) has mentioned this as well as the other Khulafa that many people would write letters stating this and they do so today as well.
Thus, when the maulvis issue verdicts against us, the message of Ahmadiyyat spreads as a result and especially to those factions of society to whom it was difficult for us to preach. So they are doing our work and it will be beneficial to us. We ought to also pray for them, that if there is anyone among them who has an ounce of decency in them, then may Allah the Almighty enable them to see reason and understand [the truth]; however, we ought to pray especially for the general public and the Muslim ummah at large that Allah the Almighty may save them from their ploys [i.e of the Maulvis].
Nonetheless, when these people oppose us, it is beneficial for us; through this [opposition], the message of Ahmadiyyat is reaching those places it had never reached before, or we did not have the means to spread the message there. Subsequently, some people from among them make contact with the Jamaat. Therefore, it is our responsibility to pray and remain patient and this is the best way which will grant us success, insha-Allah. It is our task to ensure our thoughts and sentiments are free from any malice against our fellow Muslims.
Continue to pray for them – may Allah the Almighty quickly open their eyes and may they recognise and accept the Imam of the age.
Original Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 4 June 2021, pp. 5-7. Translated by The Review of Religions.
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