Hudhur gave a discourse on the current situation in the Muslim world and the need for Divinely-guided Khilafat.
Hudhur said today he wished to draw attention to prayers regarding the entire Muslim world. He said sympathy with the Muslims demands, as does the love of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that an Ahmadi, who is a true Muslim, prays for whoever associates himself with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), calls himself a Muslim and is being made a target because of being a Muslim or for the current agitation and lawlessness in Muslim countries. We accept the Imam of the age and thus it is our obligation more than any other to express our sympathy to the Muslims. In our Bai’at we pledge to have sympathy with God’s creation, thus our compassion for Muslims should be that much more. We do not have worldly power or resources with which we could help them, in particular help those few countries where the current political situation is degenerating. However, we can pray for them and for this each Ahmadi should pay attention. Those Ahmadis who reside in these countries or originate from there and have connections with the politicians there, should make them aware that rather than personal gain these politicians should think of national interests. Usually, when Muslims attain political power or come into any position of power they forget Haququl ebaad (rights of mankind). The real reason for this is lack of Taqwa (righteousness). They forget the basic commandment of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and the Book with which they are associated, that the distinguishing factor between Muslims and the others is Taqwa. Once this distinction does not remain, worldliness takes over. Although the name of Islam is made use of, but in its name Haququl ebaad and Haququllah (rights of God) are trampled on. Wealth and lust for power is given precedence over God’s commandments or in order to manage wealth and to strengthen power, foreign governments are relied on and are given priority over own countrymen and if needed, the countrymen are persecuted and transgressed against.
Greed has made some leaders so selfish that there is no comparison between what they fill their personal coffers with and how they serve humanity. News are emerging where hundreds of kilograms of gold has been stashed away, or a country’s assets have been placed in Swiss banks in personal accounts, numerous properties have been bought in foreign lands, all this while the masses are desperate for two square meals. This is not the condition in just Arab countries, in Pakistan too, situation is such that it is difficult for some to have one square meal. But the leaders run up bills of hundred of thousands when shopping abroad. Be it the leaders of Pakistan, the Middle East or North Africa; people who have been given the Book and the Sunnah which is ever-living, yet they are making a mockery of Haququl ebaad and Haququllah. They are usurping the property of their countrymen. What can be expected of such people in terms of running governments on lines of Taqwa? They can create disorder, can govern on the sway of power for a while, but they cannot be a source of peace for the masses. In such situations, reaction materialises.
Hudhur said such reaction may appear sudden, but it is not sudden. Deep within, sentiments heat up for a long time. This has become evident in some countries; in other countries it will become evident. When the eventual outpouring of lava takes place, it also scorches the powerful. As this reaction of the victims against the oppressors has no procedure, the oppressed try their utmost for freedom and when they succeed, they too take up oppression. This is why it is greatly needed that Ahmadis pray for the Muslim world before every country is engulfed in this and a long chain of oppression starts. May God give sense to both governments and the masses, enabling them to adopt Taqwa. If Muslim leaders had Taqwa they would have looked after the rights of their people. The organisation of Muslims countries would not have been an organisation in mere name, they would have helped each other. If real Taqwa was adhered to, the world of Islam would have had a standing. A large part of Asia is ruled by Muslim governments and some other parts of the world as well, but they are generally regarded as underdeveloped or developing countries. Those who have the wealth of oil are under the influence of foreign powers. The strings of the aid they provide to underdeveloped countries are in the hands of outsiders. Rather than have fear of God, they fear people. Due to their personal interests they have not invested the wealth of their countries in building industry and have made no progress in agriculture. This, in spite of the climate of most Muslim countries being conducive to growing different kinds of crops. They could bring about a revolution with the resource of oil, but their preferences are different. Muslim scientists and inventors are valued in foreign countries because they are not provided with facilities in their own countries. If they try to progress, personal, vested interests of the authorities obstruct them. Among Muslim countries, Malaysia is considered technologically advanced, but the developed world even refers to it as a developing country.
Hudhur said all this is due to an absence of Taqwa and values have changed. If progress has to be made, true values have to be recognised. The current situation is extremely worrying. The Holy Qur’an states: ‘Surely all believers are brothers…’ (49:11). Yet the news these days tell of countries like Egypt where the government did not stop at taking action against the people, rather they created divisions among people and provided arms to those supporting the government. If Muslim governments lay claim to being democratic then unless the masses turn to extreme violence, the governments should be patient. Yet, it has been in the news that hundreds of lives have been taken. They raise the claim to democracy mimicking the West but have no tolerance. If they wish to emulate democracy, they have to inculcate tolerance.
All that has been taking place recently in Egypt and Libya etc. or that which has been going on in Afghanistan and Pakistan for years through the hands of the extremist is a negation of that spirit of brotherhood which Islam commands. Today, in order to restore the name of Islam, to create peace between the masses and the leadership, Taqwa is needed and no one is interested to pay attention to this. What is needed is that everyone turns to God and reflects as to what should be done when there is a situation of: ‘Corruption has appeared on land and sea…’ (30:42).
Hudhur said the Qur’an gives its solution as did the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and that is the way to accept the Messiah and the Mahdi and take the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) greeting to him. Unless they consider this they will continue to increase in worldly greed. Taqwa is attained by connecting to God, indeed Taqwa is attained by adopting the ways shown by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Next Hudhur gave a summarised account of a piece he was sent taken from a website in which a Muslim organisation talks about a permanent solution to the current state of affairs. It sees the current struggle for freedom in some Muslim countries as positive and says that Muslims need to raise their voices against tyrants. Commenting on Western media, it says terminology used about Islam makes it appear frightening. But these people are not willing to accept the system of Khilafat. For the past ten years much has been written against Islam regarding Burqa, the Qur’an, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and the Shariah. It says that in an Islamic state Khilafat is central and that is why it is the core of our faith. It is Khilafat alone that can keep a watchful eye on the rulers and can create emancipation of all kinds. It says that this is the only way through which the Ummah can spread light in the world. It suggests that efforts should be made to establish Khilafat. Hudhur said indeed the piece correctly maintains that in order to unify Muslims and to maintain justice it is the system of Khilafat alone that can rightly guide. However, the method suggested therein that the masses should stage uprising, is wrong.
Hudhur said the indication is of the right way but Khilafat cannot be achieved through an effort of the masses. Did the Rightly Guided Khilafat establish through human effort? Indeed, it was a state of fear from which God raised Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) for Khilafat. Hudhur said Khilafat is a conferment, it is a blessing of God for the believers. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) foretold about the Rightly Guided Khilafat after him, he also foretold of a long period of oppression after which he foretold of a ray of hope which can be seen in the Quranic statement of: ‘And among others from among them who have not yet joined them…’ (62:4). He had said that the Messiah will be a non-Arab and of Persian descent, and due to his subordination to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) his station will be that of a non-law-bearing Prophet. Hadhrat Huzaifa narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: ‘Prophethood shall remain among you as long as Allah shall will. He will bring about its end and follow it with Khilafat on the precepts of prophethood for as long as He shall will and then bring about its end. A tyrannical monarchy will then follow and will remain as long as Allah shall will and then come to an end. There will follow thereafter monarchical despotism to last as long as Allah shall will and come to an end upon His decree. There will then emerge Khilafat on precept of Prophethood.’ The Holy Prophet said no more.
Hudhur explained that it is God’s mercy that comes into action for the establishment of Khilafat. How do they propose to establish Khilafat in every country, they are not even in agreement over Imamat of Salat. There is only one solution and that is to accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and then accept the Khilafat that has been in place after him. This Khilafat was not established by displaying extremist stance. This Khilafat was borne out of calling on God’s mercy. Khilafat that is granted by God’s mercy and favour will not just be a guarantee of peace for the Ummah, it will be so for the entire world, it will draw the attention of governments and the masses to their obligations respectively. The Ahmadiyya Community only presents one solution to all these disorders: in order to become Khaira Ummah (the best people) remove the fear of the world from heart, make a connection with God and accomplish your life in this world and the Hereafter. Be assured that if God wishes, He can still speak to whomsoever He wishes. This will come to pass by connecting to the Imam of the age; this alone will rectify the condition of the Muslims.
Hudhur explained that one who came with the mercy of God brought back faith from the Pleiades as foretold by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and after him Khilafat was established, also, as foretold by him. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also said that after him God will send a ‘Second Manifestation’. Ahmadis should take this message wherever they can that if stability is perceived to be in the shield/protection of Khilafat, then in accordance with the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) such a Khilafat exists. There is no need to fire bullets for it, come and be a part of this Divine system and thus become a source of strengthening the Ummah. This alone will display true obedience to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Hudhur prayed that may God make them understand this very basic point and rather than trying here and there, they come to the way that God has taught. Meanwhile, Ahmadis should focus on prayers.
May God grant each Muslim country leadership that is sensible and has fear of God. In countries where for now it appears peaceful, the rulers seem to serving self-interests and those in the wings also seem to have the same ways. Seeing the reaction in some countries, tyrannical kings are also raising voices about rights of people. It appears that each country is now unsafe in this regard, whichever powers are working behind the scenes; those that will usher in peace or those that will create disorder. Seeing the situation, Saudi Arabia has announced further reforms. Many new powers are emerging. Some appear to be telling the world powers that now that they have experienced their erstwhile ‘allies’, they should try them. The former rulers have placed people in position who will maintain the same governmental policy. However, now that awareness has been generated in people that this is an unacceptable way, it poses the danger of religious extremists taking advantage of the situation. This could create a different set of problems. World powers will take overt as well as covert action in response to this; they will never tolerate their interests to be effected. The current internal strife in Third world Muslim countries is due to the clash of the interests of different world powers. It is the tragedy of these Muslim countries that they are pawns in the hands of the outsiders and do not look after their national interests. The proverbial mullah is devoid of Taqwa and is even more dangerous than the self-interested rulers. This is a cause for deep concern and requires prayers.
Internal and external powers are frantically trying to take control and the masses are being crushed. There was a time when it was said about Iraq that it was so developed that it appeared like a European country. It has now been reduced to ruins. The situation in Iraq has increased restlessness in Arab countries and some African countries and owing to the natural resources there, world powers now wish to have their foothold there. In short, this evident oppression appears to be taking the world towards destruction. If true Taqwa is not generated, if justice is not established then one day or the other, destruction will engulf the world and it is not inconceivable that some Muslims countries will become the trigger factor. May God give Muslim countries rulers who are just and who abide by Taqwa and who cooperate and wish for cooperation in the name of virtue, in compliance of the Quranic commandment: ‘…And help one another in righteousness and piety;’ (5:3). The apparent situation, however, does not appear thus. It appears to be a case of: ‘Corruption has appeared on land and sea…’ (30:42). We can but pray or at the most take our message to a limited number of people.
Hudhur said recently a Bengali professor sahib came to see him and posed the question that if Ahmadis were to be in the majority, what was the guarantee that they would not oppress others. Hudhur told him that a majority that is borne out of winning hearts and minds, that gives a message of love, indeed spreads love, which keeps Taqwa and God’s pleasure in view cooperates in virtuous matters as well as takes cooperation in virtuous matters. The system of rightly-guided Khilafat is based on giving rights to people not appropriating their rights. Due to human failing, wrong decisions can be made, but if there is Taqwa, things are put right. In spite of being persecuted, Ahmadis are anxious at the current state of affairs in the Muslim world and write to Hudhur about it. Hudhur said we are to be concerned and sympathetic to the Muslim world regardless of anything and should pray for them, InshaAllah we will continue to do so. Those Ahmadis who live in the Arab countries and have some influence should tell Muslim politicians and leaders that if they do not take heed and do not try their utmost to establish justice and Taqwa and do not take themselves out of the mullah’s snare, are not vigilant of the extremists, it is entirely possible that in the name of religion, the proverbial mullah will try to take full control of the government in some countries. This could bring such drastic results to the fore which could push the masses further into darkness. In the name of religion, one sect will continue to persecute another sect and world powers will thus have a licence to intervene in the name of peace-keeping. This would lead to further chaos, there will be loss of lives, loss of property and directly or indirectly a possibility of being chained into subjugation will come to pass. Above all, as mentioned before, a wide-ranging war could engulf the world. May God have mercy and give sense to the Muslim Ummah and their rulers, may they inculcate fear of God in hearts.