Ariyo Fadlul-Hakeem Ahmad, Jamia Ahmadiyya International, Ghana
From time immemorial, it has been the practice of God Almighty that He raises a certain individual at every turn of human moral and spiritual decadence. The voice of the chosen serves as a means of deliverance and a guiding light away from the pit of destruction that is being approached.
It was in accordance with this voice of guidance, that the annual National Ijtema of Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria for the year 2025 bore the theme “Listening to the voice from the wilderness to avert third world War.”
The theme captured the situation of the world at this perilous hour in which the fire of a nuclear war is being ignited by the world leaders and the drastic need to implement necessary measures to mitigate it.
The decadence of the world
Current events, if carefully studied, would lead to one conclusion and that is the fact that humankind is gradually moving away from its Creator and by doing so, the rights due to fellow man are being trampled upon.
It is to this effect that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has been calling on the leaders of the world to reason and walk the path that leads to the Creator. This is the voice that keeps resonating at this time of ours just like it has been since the appearance of the Promised Messiahas.
The Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdias came as a warner for this age. He foretold world-shaking events – including the rise of global conflict and destruction. His words, uttered more than a century ago, speak with astonishing relevance today.
While addressing the devastating direction that the world is heading towards, he stated:
“Bear in mind that God has informed me about the coming of earthquakes in general. So know it with certainty that just as, in keeping with the prophecy, there have been earthquakes in America and also in Europe, so will they occur in different parts of Asia, and some of them will be like the Doomsday.
“There will be death on such a large scale that streams of blood will flow. Even birds and grazing animals will not escape this death. Such destruction will overtake the earth as has not happened since man was created. 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 to the extent that every sensible person will realise that they are not ordinary phenomena, and no trace of them will be found in books of physics or philosophy. Then people will be seized by anxiety and they will wonder what is going to happen? Many will be delivered, and many will perish. Those days are near, indeed they are at the door, when the world shall witness the spectacle of a doomsday.
“Not only the earthquakes, but other terrible calamities will also appear, some from heaven and some from earth. This will occur because mankind has abandoned the worship of their God, and have fallen upon materialism with all their heart, all their resolve, and all their thoughts.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [Haqiqatul-Wahi], 2023, pp. 326-327)
He further stated:
“Had I not come, these calamities might have been delayed a little, but with my coming the hidden designs of God’s wrath that had remained hidden for a long time, have been manifested. As God Almighty says:
وَمَا کُنَّا مُعَذِّبِیۡنَ حَتّٰی نَبۡعَثَ رَسُوۡلًا
‘We never punish until We have sent a Messenger.’ (Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch.17: V.16)
“And those who repent shall find security and those who fear before the calamity overtakes them will be shown mercy.
“Do you reckon that you will be safe from these earthquakes, or that you can save yourselves by your own machinations? Absolutely not. All human works will come to an end that day. Do not imagine that America etc. were hit hard by severe earthquakes while your country remains safe from them. Rather, I see that perhaps you will encounter greater adversity than them.
“O Europe! You are not safe! And O Asia! Neither are you secure! And O the dwellers of Islands! No artificial ‘God’ will come to your aid. I see cities falling and habitations in ruin. That One and Unique God remained silent for a long time. Abominations were committed before His eyes and still He remained silent. But now He shall reveal His countenance in an awe-striking manner.
“Let him who has ears hear that the Hour is not far. I strived to bring everyone under the protection of God, but the ordained decrees had to be fulfilled. I say it truly that this country’s turn is also drawing near.
“The age of Nuh [Noah] shall appear before your eyes, and you will witness with your own eyes the incident of the land of Lut [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.” (Ibid., pp. 327-328)
The dynamics of war has evolved over time and the phase that it is in presently is such that it can lay waste to the world as we know it if an all-out nuclear-powered war is engaged in. An indication to these impending catastrophic dangers is alluded to in another prophecy of the Promised Messiahas:
“Five times shall I show you the dazzling manifestation of this Sign.”
(Tajalliyyat-e-Ilahiyyah, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, p. 395)
Regarding this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“It should not be assumed from the mention of earthquakes in these warning prophecies that these calamities will only manifest in the form of earthquakes. Rather, it can also mean other disasters that may spread destruction in a similar way to earthquakes.”
Clarifying this, the Promised Messiahas stated:
“And yet it is true that God’s words are often in the form of metaphors, as, for example, He says:
مَنۡ کَانَ فِیۡ ہٰذِهِ اَعۡمٰی فَہُوَ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ اَعۡمٰی
“[‘Whoso is blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter.’ (Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch.17: V.73)]
‘‘Therefore, it was quite possible that the earthquake might mean some other great calamity that has all the characteristics of an earthquake. Still, the actual words have priority over the interpretation. Even though this prophecy had a wide scope, God fulfilled it literally as well, so as to humiliate the enemy. And it is possible that aspects of this prophecy might manifest themselves in the future in some other way. But it will still be something out of the ordinary, as stated by the prophecy. […]
“Thus, this prophecy foretells an extraordinary event of the first order. Moreover, it is quite possible that it may be followed by calamities resulting from various natural causes and lead to destruction that is extraordinary.
“Thus, even if there were no specific mention of the earthquake in any part of this prophecy, it would still constitute a very great Sign; for, the crux of the prophecy is the extraordinary and unparalleled destruction of houses and places, regardless of whether it comes about through an earthquake or through other means.’’ (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya V [2018], p. 232)
Prophecies made by a once unknown man in the remote place of Qadian are met as time passes.
A call by the Caliphs
Catastrophic events are occurring, threatening the existence of man, and as ironic as it can be, it is mostly man-made. Thus, in order to call mankind back to its senses, the Khulafah of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have been advising mankind to return to and tread the path that leads to the Creator, through which at last, peace would reign.
Over the past two decades, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has consistently warned the world about the devastating effects of a nuclear war and its looming threat.
True to this, history bore witness to the fact that the use of advanced weapon systems is a force driving mankind towards self-destruction. The year 1945, during World War II, is a testament to this and its mark is forever knitted in the topography of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; a year that etched its mark in the history of Japan and the world at large.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“We should never forget the heart-wrenching experiences of the two World Wars that occurred during the last century. The sheer devastation that they caused, in particular the Second World War, was unprecedented. Just through the use of conventional weapons heavily populated and thriving towns and cities were utterly demolished and left in absolute ruin and millions were killed. Further, during the Second World War the world witnessed that truly devastating event when the atom bomb was used against Japan causing such annihilation that just hearing of its effects makes a person tremble and shudder. The museums in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are a sufficient reminder of the horrors and utter devastation that took place.” (World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace [2017], p. 159)
On the effects of a world war aided by the use of nuclear weapons, His Holinessaa stated:
“It is said that in Japan, even though seven decades have passed, yet the effects of the atom bombs are still continuing to be manifest on newborn children. If a person is shot by a bullet, then it is sometimes possible for him to survive through medical treatment, but if a nuclear war breaks out, then those who are in the firing line will have no such luck. Instead, we will find that people will instantly die and freeze like statues, and their skin will simply melt away.
“Drinking water, food and vegetation will all be contaminated and affected by radiation. We can only imagine what type of diseases such contamination will lead to. In those places that are not directly hit and where the effects of the radiation are somewhat less, even there the risk of diseases and illness will become much higher and the future generations will also bear much greater risks.” (Ibid., p. 51)
Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh in his visit to Europe in 1967 where he discussed the same topic in light of the aforementioned prophecies of the Promised Messiahas, stated:
“The Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, presented hundreds, if not thousands, of signs to the world as evidence of the truthfulness of Islam. One of these signs was his prophecy, received through divine revelation, regarding five great calamities. The first and second world wars have already occurred, fulfilling two aspects of the prophecy in grand fashion. The effects of the third devastating calamity, whose ominous signs are already appearing on the horizon, will be extremely terrifying and destructive. […]
“The only way for humanity to escape this calamity is to choose the true path and that path is Islam. Allah’s wrath is about to descend upon this world. The flames of destruction are already raging. Come and cool down the blazing flames of this fire with tears of repentance [istighfar]. Come and seek refuge under the cool shade of the mercy and kindness of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. Rise up and establish a living relationship with Allah. Come, if you want to save yourself from the raging flames of this fire!’’ (Khutbat-e-Nasir, 2023, Vol. 1, pp. 809-810)
Elaborating on this, in another place, he said:
“But, gentlemen, let us not forget that this prophecy, like all prophecies, is a warning and its fulfilment can be delayed or even averted provided man turns to his Lord, repents and mends his ways. He can yet avert Divine wrath if he stops worshipping the false deities of wealth, power and prestige, establishes a genuine relationship with his Lord, refrains from all transgression, does his duty to God and man, and learns to work for true human welfare.” (A Message of Peace and a Word of Warning [2014], p. 14)
Thus, in the wilderness of today’s global conflicts and tensions, it is crucial that we listen to the accompanying voice of reason, wisdom, and compassion which is resonating from Huzoor-e-Anwaraa. We need to heed His call towards peace and work towards building bridges of understanding between nations, communities, and faiths. Allah the Exalted, reminds us of our shared humanity and the importance of mutual understanding and respect:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقۡنٰکُمۡ مِّنۡ ذَکَرٍ وَّاُنۡثٰی وَجَعَلۡنٰکُمۡ شُعُوۡبًا وَّقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوۡا ؕ اِنَّ اَکۡرَمَکُمۡ عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ اَتۡقٰکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلِیۡمٌ خَبِیۡرٌ
“O mankind, we have created you from a male and a female; and We have made you into tribes and sub-tribes that you may recognize one another. Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-Aware.” (Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.14)
Conclusion
During the address of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to the European Parliament in Brussels, he said:
“You may say that if these are the true teachings of Islam, then why do we see such divisions and disorder in the Muslim world? This I have answered earlier by mentioning the need for the advent of a reformer, whom we believe was the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. We, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, always endeavour to convey these true teachings to as wide an audience as we can. I would request all of you to also make efforts to raise awareness within your own circles of influence about these issues, so that long lasting peace can be developed in all parts of the world.
“If we fail in this task, then no part of the world will remain safe from the horrifying and destructive effects of war. I pray that may Allah the Almighty enable the people of the world to rise above their personal interests and desires, in an effort to save the world from the coming destruction.” (World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace [2017], p. 159)