Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih began his Friday sermon by reciting the following verses of the Holy Qur’an. The translation reads:
‘Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! you also should invoke blessings on him and salute him with the salutation of peace.
Verily, those who annoy Allah and His Messenger — Allah has cursed them in this world and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them an abasing punishment.’ (33:57 – 58)
These days an intense wave of indignation has swept through the Muslim world; in Muslims countries as well as among Muslims living in different countries of the world in response to an extremely crude and offensive act of anti-Islam elements. Indeed, Muslims are justified in this. Whether or not a Muslim has proper insight of the real station of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), he is ready to give his life for his respect and honour. Indignation of every Muslim is natural at the crude and offensive film made about the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and the wicked way in which affront has been directed at him in it. He, who was a benefactor of humanity, mercy for all the worlds and beloved of God and who stayed awake at nights in his sorrow for humanity, who expressed so much anguish to save humanity that God in the heavens said: ‘So haply thou wilt grieve thyself to death for sorrow after them if they believe not in this discourse.’ (18:7)
The extremely insulting film about this great benefactor of humanity was surely going to make a Muslim’s heart bleed and it did. And more than anyone, it pained Ahmadi Muslims for we are the followers of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who gave us the insight and perception of the great station of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Our hearts are torn at this gross act and we are extremely hurt and wounded. We prostrate before God to contend with the perpetrators and make them a cautionary sign that would last till the end of the world.
The perception that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) gave us is thus; he wrote: ‘Muslims are those people, who give their lives for the honour of their noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Death is their preference to the dishonour in genuinely reconciling with such people and becoming their friends whose task is to day and night verbally abuse their Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and cite his name extremely insultingly in their magazines, books and advertisements and mention him in utterly degrading words. Remember, such individuals are also not the well-wishers of their own people because they create impediments in their way. I say most truthfully that it is possible that we may reconcile with wild snakes and wilderness beasts, but we cannot reconcile with those people who do not desist from insulting the honour of God’s holy Prophets. They think that there is triumph in abusive language and vulgarity but each triumph comes from the heavens. Through the blessing of their pure discourse, those with pure speech ultimately win hearts and minds whereas those of wicked nature have no other skill other than creating discord and conflict in the land in a disorderly way…Experience also bears witness that the ending of such offensive people is not good. The sense of honour of God ultimately comes to pass for His beloveds.’ (Chashma Ma’rafat, Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 23, pp. 386 – 387)
These days apart from magazines and advertisements other mediums are also used for this vulgarity. Out of their stubbornness these people are contending with God. InshaAllah, they will come under His chastisement. In their obstinacy they continue to perpetrate their excesses. When in 2006 wicked natured people in Denmark made vulgar caricatures of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) while Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih drew the attention of the Jama’at to demonstrate appropriate reaction, he had also said that these people will not stop here and will continue to perpetrate such acts in future. Today we observe that they have resorted to greater vulgarity and meanness. It is their defeat against Islam that is forcing them to be offensive in the name of freedom of speech. As the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said, they are not even the well-wishers of their own people. It will one day be unfolded to them all that what they are doing is in fact harmful for them. These people are mean and selfish.
Right now in the name of freedom of speech politicians and others, in places openly and in places discreetly, are speaking up for these people; some are also speaking up for the Muslims. But it should be remembered that this world is now like a global village and if wickedness is not openly called wickedness, these matters can also destroy the peace of these countries. It should be remembered what the Imam of the age said; that every triumph comes from the heavens and the heavens have decided that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) whom they are insulting will triumph in the world and he will triumph by winning hearts and minds because pure discourse is effective and it does not require extremist measures or to respond to vulgarity with vulgarity. God will deal with these perpetrators in the next life.
In the verses recited at the start of the sermon God draws the attention of the believers towards their responsibilities; that is, to invoke peace and salutations on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). The vulgarity and slander by these people does not affect the honour of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) at all. He was a Prophet on whom God and His angels invoke blessings and salutations. It is for the believers to constantly engage in doing the same and when the enemy exceeds in vulgarity, invoke blessings and salutations (Durud) more than ever:
Bless, O Allah Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the people of Ibrahim. You are indeed the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.
Prosper, O Allah Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, as You did prosper Ibrahim and the people of Ibrahim. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.
This alone is the invocation of salutations (Durud) and this alone is the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) whose triumph in the world is destined.
While an Ahmadi expresses indignation and disgust at the vulgarity, he or she also tries to draw attention of people to desist from committing these vulgarities. From a worldly perspective an Ahmadi tries to make the world aware of the reality as opposed to this conspiracy and presents the beautiful aspects and blessed model of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). An Ahmadi tries to demonstrate the blessed model through each act of his or her and thus presents to the world its illustration in practice. Indeed, men, women, young, old and children should be drawn to invoke blessings and salutations on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) more than ever, the air should be filled with it. Everyone should make their actions a practical model of Islamic teaching.
The second verse recited at the beginning speaks of the ending of the perpetrators. They are cursed by God in this life and also in the Hereafter. In this world their fate will be in the form of God’s curse and in the next life it will be a humiliating chastisement.
Other Muslims should also, in light of the teachings of God and His commandments, react to the situation by filling the very air with invocation of blessings and salutations on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). It is useless to react in a way that destroys one’s own property in one’s own country and causes the killing of one’s own people. The police also have to resort to firing in such situations. Media reports tell that many decent Western people who are not Muslims have also expressed their disgust at this transgression in US as well as here (UK). However, on one hand the leadership says that this is not right but on the other hand backs it in the name of freedom of speech.
The law about freedom of speech is not heavenly scripture. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih said that this is what he had told the politicians in his address in USA. That there can be flaws in man-made laws; some aspects can be missed while legislating because man does not possess the knowledge of the unseen. But God is Knower of the unseen and there is no flaw in His laws. People should not consider their laws so final that there could be no alterations in them. While a law for freedom of speech exists, but neither any country’s law nor the UN Charter has the proviso that no person will be free to injure the religious sentiments of others or that holy personage of religions should not be disparaged for it ruins world peace and causes eruptions of hatred to spill over and it widens the chasm between countries and religions.
While a law for freedom of speech has been made giving an individual freedom which is fine, there is no law against injuring the sentiments of others. UN is also not being successful because the law of freedom of speech is considered a huge feat. God states that do not even belittle the idols of other people for they would in retaliation do the same to your God and it would destroy peace and enmity would increase. This is the teaching of the God of Islam, the God of this universe. Who sent His beloved with this perfect teaching, giving him the title of ‘Mercy for all the worlds.’ Thus, the educated people of the world, the politicians and people in governments should think if by not firmly dealing with these few vulgar people are they too are being party to it. People of the world should think if by playing with the religious sentiments of others and agreeing with these few slimy insects of the world are they too being party to destroying world peace?
We, Ahmadi Muslims do not leave any stone unturned to serve the world. Last year the need arose in US and Ahmadis donated 12,000 bottles of blood and they are doing the same this year. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih told them that while Ahmadis are donating blood, by agreeing with these people they are making our hearts bleed. Muslims are alleged to be doing wrong. It is correct some Muslim reaction is incorrect; damage and destruction, setting things on fire, killing of the innocent, leaving diplomats unprotected, killing of diplomats are all wrong. But derision and affront of innocent Prophets is also a big sin. In a copycat attempt, recently a French magazine has also boiled over and has published offensive cartoons which are even worse than the previous ones. These worldly people think the world to be everything not realising that this world alone is source of their destruction.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih said that Muslims inhabit a large part of the world and God has also granted them natural resources. Muslim countries are also part of the UN. The Holy Qur’an is a complete code of conduct. Why do those who read it and follow it not present its beautiful teachings to the world on every level? Why do they not put it before the world that according to the Qur’an it is criminal and a big sin to play with the religious sentiments of others and to be offensive about the Prophets of God. And it is important for world peace that it is made part of the UN Charter that no country will allow any of its citizens to play with the religious sentiments of others. It will not be allowed to destroy world peace in the name of freedom of speech. Sadly all this is happening for so long but the Muslim countries have never made a mutual effort to inform the world about the honour of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and all the other Prophets and have it acknowledged on an international level. Although like other clauses of UN it would also not be implemented but at the very least something would go on record.
Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) is there but it has done nothing concrete for the Muslims. Muslim leaders are busy pursuing their personal wishes but have no thought for faith. Had Muslim leaders made concrete efforts the masses would not have shown such inappropriate reactions like those taking place in Pakistan and other countries. They would have been safe in the knowledge that their leaders would rise to the world forum to uphold the honour of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and the honour of other Prophets in a way that would make the world acknowledge that what they said was right. There is a large number of Muslims living in the West and every part of the world. Muslims are the second greatest power of the world in terms of population and religion. Were they to abide by the teachings of God they could become the greatest force in every sense and in such an instance anti-Islam powers would not dare perpetrate such heart-rending acts. A large number of Muslims inhabit Europe. The Turks alone inhabit in their millions, not in the entire Europe but in their millions in each country of Europe. Similarly other ethnic Muslims from Asia inhabit UK, USA, Canada and every part of Europe. If they all decided that they would vote for those politicians who demonstrated tolerance in matters of religion and who condemned people who perpetrated such vulgarities and made such films. This would lead to a section of people from among worldly governments people to rise against such vulgarities. If Muslims were to understand their importance a revolutionary change can come about in the world, they can facilitate laws regarding respecting religious sentiments but unfortunately they are not drawn to this. And they are determined in their opposition to the community that draws attention to it and thus strengthen the hands of the enemy. May God give sense to Muslim leaders, politicians and religious scholars that they may strengthen themselves, that they may understand their strength, that they may pay attention to their teachings.
The moral state of the people who make these vulgar allegations on the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) or those who have made this film can be gauged from the information available in the media. A Coptic Christian by the name of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula who lives in US has made the film. It is said that he has a criminal background and was imprisoned in 2010 for fraud. The person who has directed the film is a director of pornographic films and the actors in the film are also actors of pornographic films. The excesses of pornography are beyond one’s imaginations and here they purport to criticise that person for whose high morals and purity even God bore witness. By perpetrating this obscenity they have certainly called on God’s wrath and they continue to do so. Similarly the sponsors of this film cannot avoid God’s chastisement including that Christian priest who time and again has tried to burn the Qur’an for cheap publicity in US.
‘Our Lord, break them in pieces, a complete breaking up and reduce them to dust.’
Some sections of the media have condemned this film and have also condemned the Muslim reaction. It is correct, wrong reaction should be condemned, but it should be noted who initiated it all. It is the misfortune of Muslims that all this is happening due to Muslims not having any unity or leadership. They claim ardent love of the Prophet but are distant from faith with no knowledge of it and are also weakening in worldly sense. No Muslim country has fully protested to another country. If any protest has been made it was so weak that the media took no attention. If any news item was given on the objection of Muslims it was that 1.8 billion Muslims are reacting like children. In the absence of anyone at the helm it would be so, thus with this sarcastic remark reality was also brought to the fore.
People here are blind to religion and do not respond even when Hadhrat Isa (on whom be peace) is denigrated. They would find the Muslim reaction juvenile. In 2006 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih had drawn the attention of the Muslims to create a robust modus operandi so that no one would dare repeat the insult. But they objected briefly which was inconsequential. Someone has suggested that all the Muslim lawyers in the world should get together and make a petition. If only Muslim lawyers who have international standing think about the feasibility of this or find another way. How long will they see such vulgarities perpetrated and suffice on protest causing damage and destruction in their country? This damage and destruction has no effect on the West. If they will attack the innocents in the West, give threats and attack embassies, that is against the teaching of Islam. In such instance they will give people cause to object. Extremism is not the answer. The answer is as given before: reformation of practices, invoking blessings and salutation on the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and unity of Muslims and Muslims living in the West gaining strength of their vote. Ahmadis should work on this wherever in the world they may be.
Today they create clamour over freedom of speech and say there is no freedom in Islam and cite examples of the Muslim countries of today. It is the misfortune of the Muslim countries that they are not abiding by Islamic teaching because Islamic teaching has nothing to do with what they practice. We find in history people impulsively addressing the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and his patience and forbearance in response that is matchless. A tradition relates that once returning from Hunain a few people were with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) when some Bedouins wrapped around him, they made demands of him so much so that they compelled him to move towards a thorny tree and his cloak was stuck in its thorns. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) stopped and asked them to return his cloak to him. He said if he had as many camels as the wild trees he would have given them to the Bedouins and they would not have found his niggardly, or false or a coward. In another tradition once a Bedouin pulled a cloak which had a thick border that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had on so hard that the border left mark on his neck. He then said ‘O Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) out of the goods that God has given you, have some loaded on my camels because neither you will give out of your wealth nor from the wealth of your father.’ Initially the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) kept quiet. He then said that [all] wealth was God’s and he was God’s servant. He then said that the Bedouin would be retaliated for the pain he had caused him. The Bedouin replied, no. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) asked why not. The Bedouin replied, ‘because you do not react to badness with badness.’ This made the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) laugh and he asked for barley and dates to be loaded on the Bedouin’s camels. Such was his deportment with friends and foes. Yet the objectors make their objections without any knowledge and say that the Holy Prophet, Mercy for all the worlds (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was severe.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih has not seen the [objectionable] film but has been told that it also raises objections over the Qur’an that it was written by the cousin of Hadhrat Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) Waraqa bin Nawfil. During the lifetime of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) the pagans raised objections as to why could the Qur’an not be revealed all at once. These people, including some priests, are completely uninformed. Waraqa had said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that he wished he could live to the day when the Makkans would force the Prophet to move out of Makkah. These priests are embroiled in discussion over where which Surah was revealed , Medina or Makkah and say that Waraqa wrote the Qur’an!
There is the matter of regard for others’ sentiments in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was incomparable. In spite of knowing that he was the most prominent among all Prophets, in regard of the sentiments of a Jew he said that he should not be given preference over Moses (on whom be peace). His regard for the sentiments of the underprivileged can be seen in a tradition where one of his wealthy Companions was expressing his superiority over others. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) asked him that did he think his power and strength was due to his efforts? No, it was not. He said that his tribal strength as well as power of wealth all was due to the poor. Today the claimants of freedom establish the rights of the poor. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) established these rights 1400 years ago when he said that a labourer should be paid his wages before his perspiration dries off.
It is also alleged that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) God forbid, was a womaniser. Objection is raised about his marriages. God knew that such questions would be raised so he facilitated such incidents which provide repudiation of these allegations. Asma bint Nauman was considered the most beautiful women of her time. On the wish of her father, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had Nikah solemnised with her. When the Prophet went to her she said that she sought God’s refuge from him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied, ‘You have sought the refuge of a very great sanctuary’ and left. He then said to one of his Companions to take her back to her family. History records that her family was very happy at this marriage and was upset with her when she returned. This was the great person about whom dreadful allegations are made about women. Who married his wives because it was God’s commandment. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has written that had the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) not married and had children how could we have had the exemplary model in this regard.
Erroneous things are said about Hadhrat ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) and about her age. She said that on occasion the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to say to her that he wished to worship God throughout the night. However, those with perverted minds will make allegations. They have done so in the past and they will continue to do it. God has decreed that He will fill Hell with such people. God has a great sense of honour for His beloveds. If they do not desist, His chastisement is very severe. The natural disasters all over the world, the economic crises, the chaos of global warming should draw those who make excesses towards God rather than towards vulgarities. The Imam of the age has explained everything clearly and has said that if his words are not heeded it will lead to destruction. Below is an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) which is often presented. He wrote:
‘Bear in mind that God has informed me time and again about the coming of earthquakes. So be sure that just as there have been earthquakes in America and in Europe, in keeping with the prophecies, so will they occur in different parts of Asia, and some of them will be as terrifying as doomsday. There will be death on such a large scale that rivers will run with blood, and even birds and animals will not escape it. Such destruction will overtake the earth as has not happened since man was born. Most places will be turned upside down as if they had never been inhabited. There will also be other terrible afflictions, both in heaven and earth, and every sensible person will realize that they are no ordinary phenomena, and no trace of them will be found in books of astronomy or philosophy. Then people will be seized by anxiety and they will wonder what is going to happen? Many will be saved, and many will perish. Those days are near, indeed they are at the door, when the world shall witness a spectacle of doomsday. Not only will there be earthquakes, but other terrible calamities will also appear, some from heaven and some from the earth. This will happen because men have given up the worship of their God, and all their thoughts and their designs and their resolves are diverted towards the world. Had I not come, these calamities might have been delayed for a while, but with my coming the secret designs of God’s wrath, that had long been hidden, have been manifested. As God said: ‘…We never punish until We have sent a Messenger.’ (17: 16).
Those who repent shall find security and those who fear before the calamity overtakes them will be shown mercy. Do you think that you will be safe from these earthquakes, or that you can save yourselves by your own designs? No, you cannot. All human designs will come to naught that day. Do not imagine that only America has been shaken by the earthquake and that you are safe, for you may experience even greater calamities. O Europe! You are not secure, O Asia! You are not secure, O you who dwell in the Islands, no artificial god will come to your aid. I see the cities falling and I see the habitations in ruin. The One and the Unique has long remained silent. Abominations were committed before His eyes and yet He remained silent. But now He shall reveal His countenance in a dreadful manner. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! The hour is not far. I tried to bring everyone under the security of God, but the decrees of destiny had to be fulfilled. Assuredly, I say that this country’s turn is also drawing near. The days of Noah shall appear before your eyes, and you will see with your own eyes what happened to the land of Lot. But God is slow to wrath, repent so that you are shown mercy. He who abandons God is a worm, not a man, and he who does not fear Him is dead, not alive.’ [Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 22, pp. 268-269 – Essence of Islam, Vo. V, pp. 148 – 150]
May God give sense to the world and may He enable us to discharge our responsibilities.
Next Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih announced that he would lead two funeral Prayers after Friday Prayers. Both the funerals were of two recent young martyrs from Pakistan. Naveed Ahmad sahib and Muhammad Ahmad Siddiqi sahib.