With reference to the Divine attribute of Al Sami (The All Hearing) Huzoor(aba) delivered his Friday Sermon today in elucidation of verse 257 of Surah Al Baqarah that mentions the most significant Islamic injunction: " There should be no compulsion in religion.". Huzoor(aba) said that these days the entire Western world collectively accuses Islam of being a religion of force and that it is due to this fundamental teaching that there are so many militant organisations in Islam. Calling this a most erroneous and dreadful accusation Huzoor(aba) commented that it is unfortunate that certain terrorist organisations that have no semblance with the teachings of Islam are exploiting the name of Islam to satisfy their egotism.
Expounding the Quranic verse with reference to various writings Huzoor(aba) said that if Islam really was a religious promoting the use of force than why would be there be a clear commandment as the one in this verse which very clearly opposes all kinds of compulsion in the matter of faith. Worldly rulers utilize force to achieve their aims and objectives but prophets of God do not and Islam is not responsible or accountable for the action that certain kings took. Huzoor(aba) stressed that it is erroneous to say that Islam was propagated by the use of force. Muslim generals like Mahmood Ghaznawi and Khalid bin Waleed did not convert anyone to Islam by the use of force. Huzoor(aba) said today it should be the mission of each Ahmadi to present the beautiful and peaceable teaching of Islam to the world and to unravel to them that Islam is the standard bearer of equitable teaching. Huzoor(aba) cited examples from the blessed life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) illustrating that peace treaties were preferred to conflicts. Huzoor(aba) said the Muslims were highly anxious about the dire straits as they awaited the Mahdi. However, when the Mahdi appeared they chose to reject him simply because he gave the lesson of peace and conciliation.
Huzoor(aba) recounted that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that according to the creed of the Muslims who still await Jesus son of Mary, the Messiah would employ force to get his objective and that this was discrediting the commandments of the Holy Quran. Huzoor(aba) said a faith that is propagated with force cannot be from God and that the task of the Messiah is to bring about predominance to Islam with arguments and proofs. Those who do not have Divine support employ force, no other prophet of God exhibited miracles like the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) the marvels of whose blessings can still be witnessed to this day. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that whatever is manifested in his support is in actual fact a miracles of the blessings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him).
In conclusion Huzoor(aba) enjoined that it is the obligation of each Ahmadi to take the peaceable and conciliatory message of Islam as taught by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) everywhere and to have it proclaimed to the world that Islam did not spread by force rather by its beautiful teaching. To communicate to those who associate themselves with Muhammad (peace and blessings be on him) that they are in the wrong, to counsel them and to pray for them for it is important to make the world perceive that that triumph of Islam came about due to the prayers of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) and in this age it will also materialize through the prayers of the Holy Prophet's (peace and blessing be on him) servant and most sincere devotee, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as well as through presenting the true teachings and depiction of Islam to the world.