Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam
Currently, the world is in dire need for true peace since different people and nations are pursuing their own vested interests. The world is searching for a ‘Messiah’, however, they are not paying heed to the Messiah of this Age, who has been appointed by God Almighty.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian is the Promised Messiah and Mahdi who was prophesied by major religions to appear in the Latter Days. He was a great advocate of peace, compassion, harmony, and interfaith dialogue. He opposed the misrepresented idea of so-called “Jihad”, which involved attacking and killing non-believers, and instead, promoted the correct understanding of the Islamic belief regarding Jihad by saying that, in this era, Jihad means a peaceful way of striving in the way of Allah the Almighty and propagating Islam through the pen.
The Promised Messiahas, in his last written work, Paigham-e-Sulh (A Message of Peace), said:
“Notwithstanding the hundreds of differences between us, Muslims and Hindus alike share one thing in common, i.e., we all believe in God, the Creator and Master of the Universe. Also, we belong to the same denomination of God’s species and are referred to as humans. Furthermore, as inhabitants of the same country, we are mutual neighbours. This requires that we become friends to each other, with purity of heart and sincerity of intentions. We should dispose kindly to each other and be mutually helpful.
“In the difficulties pertaining to religious and worldly matters, we should exercise such sympathy towards each other as if we have become limbs of the same body. My countrymen, a religion that does not inculcate universal compassion is no religion at all. Similarly, a human being without the faculty of compassion is no human at all.
“Our God has never discriminated between one people and another. […] The earth created by God provides a common floor for all people alike, and His sun, moon, and many stars are a source of radiance and provide many other benefits to all alike. Likewise, all peoples benefit from the elements created by Him, such as air, water, fire and earth, and similarly from other products created by Him like grain, fruit, and healing agents, etc.
“These attributes of God teach us the lesson that we, too, should behave magnanimously and kindly towards our fellow human beings and should not be petty of heart […]. Moreover, the survival, both physical and spiritual, of human beings depends on the same eternal truth that man should follow the virtuous attributes of God Who is the Fountainhead of all that is essential for survival.” (A Message of Peace, pp. 5-7)
On 21 June 1908, the Promised Messiah’sas essay, Paigham-e-Sulh, was read out before a large gathering of over 4,000 people from different religions, at the Punjab University Hall, Lahore.
Reporting on this, The Tribune of Lahore wrote:
“Mirza Gholam Ahmed’s Last Message.
“A Message of Peace.
“At the University Hall, Lahore, on the morning of Sunday, the 21st June, at 7 am, an unusually large audience assembled to hear the Message of Peace of late Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian. The spacious hall was crowded to its utmost capacity and the audience numbered at its lowest computation at about five thousands. It was a representative gathering of men of different creeds and sects. Hindus, Mahomedans, Sikhs, Aryas, Brahmos and Christians all were numerously represented.” (The Tribune, 23 June 1908)
The Civil and Military Gazette also published a detailed report under the title “The Message of Peace”, and wrote:
“The lecture attempted to point out that notwithstanding all their differences in the domain of religion, the Hindus and Muhammadans [sic] had much in common. Both believed in same one God, the Creator of the universe, and both, being inhabitants of the same country, were neighbours to each other. […]
“Islam, according to the writer, was a religion of wide toleration, for it not only accepted the prophets held in honour by the Jews and the Christians but recognised the claims of the prophets of all other nations. Much of the religious hatred in the world was due to the exclusiveness and narrowness of the religious views of the people. […]
“It was Islam, the writer held, that laid down the basis of wide religious toleration by preaching the principle that the word of God was revealed to men of different nations in different countries and at different times, and that prophets had passed among all people. In support of this view, he quoted verses from the Quran. He invited the Hindus to accept the same principle of tolerance and peace and to accept the Holy Prophet of the Muhammadans as the true messenger of God and the Holy Quran as His revelation, just as the Muhammadans accepted the ancient Hindu rishis and sages as the prophets of God, and the Vedas as His revelation. This was the Message of Peace which he delivered to his Hindu countrymen. He urged that no good came out of the controversies which began by abusing the sacred, religious leaders of the other communities, and therefore a change was at any rate desirable.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 24 June 1908, p. 6)
After the demise of the Promised Messiahas in 1908, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya was established in accordance with the prophecies of the Holy Quran, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, and the Promised Messiahas. Following in his footsteps, his Khulafa have always advocated interfaith harmony and world peace.
During his Friday Sermon on 26 October 1923, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra said that Allah the Almighty grants certain names to the prophets, and the reflection of those names is also manifested in certain members of their communities:
“God Almighty had granted various names to the Holy Prophetsa. When contemporary Muslims deviated from the right path, this act of theirs displeased God Almighty. Therefore, in order to reform them, He granted all those names of the Holy Prophetsa to his perfect reflection [Promised Messiahas], and granted such meanings [to those names] which God Almighty desires to propagate in this era. Therefore, it is the duty of our Jamaat to ponder over those names, and to strive to fulfil the prophecies [which have been indicated therein].
“One of the names that have been granted to the Promised Messiahas is:
“‘The Prince of Peace.’ [Tadhkirah, 2009, p. 1061]
“Thus, as I have stated earlier, the [Ahmadiyya Muslim] Jamaat is to become the manifestation of that ‘seed’ which is enclosed therein. And when the Promised Messiahas is called ‘The Prince of Peace’, it implies that the ‘seed’ that has been sown through him, will be manifested in his Jamaat, and that his Jamaat will establish peace in the world at a time of great disorder. As a seed, this characteristic was only present in the Promised Messiahas, however, it will be manifested as a tree within his Jamaat. […]
“Therefore, remember that you have been created [as a Jamaat] to establish peace in the world. Currently, we witness that there are disputes and disorders everywhere. It is quite possible that our current generation or the next one might get the opportunity and honour of establishing peace and conciliation during these disputes and disorders, however, it will surely be granted to the Promised Messiah’sas Jamaat.
“Hence, I advise you to ponder over this point, keeping in mind this revelation [‘The Prince of Peace’] of the Promised Messiahas. During the time of the Promised Messiahas, individuals were united [on his hand], and he emphasised them to inculcate mutual harmony and hence laid the foundation of peace. Now, it is the duty of the Jamaat, which has been gathered at the hand of this ma‘mur [God’s appointee], to foster harmony among nations. And it is quite possible that this responsibility might be given to your current generation. […]
“Therefore, God desired for the Promised Messiah’sas Jamaat to be a source of conciliation between enemies, regardless of the huge numbers of those enemies in comparison to the small number of this Jamaat. This age has exceeded the other eras in terms of the number of disorders; nations and countries are clashing with each other. […]
“So, currently, there is only one Jamaat – the Promised Messiah’sas Jamaat – that is striving purely for religious objectives, the rest of the communities are making efforts for their political aims. If you ponder over this point, there is no other religious community other than our Jamaat, which is working for the religious cause.
“Even if we look at the other Muslims, one finds that they are practically far behind. Their hue, passion, and enthusiasm were not for religion. They would deliver lectures about Khilafat, however, there was nothing in practice. There were dozens of office-bearers of the Khilafat [Movement in British India], who would speak a lot about religion, however, they did not bother to even read the Holy Quran. […]
“Hence, our Jamaat is the only community in the religious world that focuses on religion, strives hard for religion, and endures hardships for the Faith. Any revolution in the religious world or any extraordinary peace can only be established through our Jamaat, since all other communities have gone astray from the fountain of peace – God Almighty. How can those ‘sons’ unite who have abandoned their ‘father’? It is the connection and the relationship with the parents that can unite their children. […] In the same manner, how can those people who have abandoned their spiritual father spread peace in the world? Love can be spread in the world only through the connection with God. Without God, there remains no pathway to create harmony.
“God Almighty has appointed the Promised Messiahas to establish this very connection, and granted him the name of ‘The Prince of Peace’. This characteristic was granted to the Promised Messiahas as a seed, which would now disseminate amongst you, and peace can be spread through you alone. You are required to mould your lives accordingly. If you do not prepare for it now, you will prove to be ineligible at a time of need, and will be unable to do anything. However, if you practise for this, you will be able to make efforts when needed.
“Therefore, once you ponder over this point, [the dimensions of] your desires, opinions, and disciplines [‘ulum] will completely change. You are required to strive in order to become the manifestation of this name, which has been promised to the Promised Messiahas. Thus, my advice is that you have been created for a purpose, which is for you to alleviate the disorder in the world and to foster peace, so the world may know that the Promised Messiahas was appointed not only to unite the brothers, but rather, to foster peace and harmony among the enemies.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 8, pp. 225-230)
At another instance, Huzoorra said:
“The truth of the matter is that true peace between different religions can only be achieved by utilising the means that have been taught by the Promised Messiahas. That is, the followers of all religions should narrate about the distinctive features of their respective religion, instead of raising objections over the others.” (Taqrir Dilpazir, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 10, p. 78)
In one of his couplets, the Promised Messiahas said:
اِک شجر ہوں جس کو داؤدى صفت کے پھل لگے
میں ہوا داؤد اور جالوت ہے میرا شکار
“I am the tree that bore fruits resembling Dawud [David]; I became Dawud and Jalut [Goliath] is my prey.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V [English], p. 171)
Commenting on this, during his address at the annual Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya on 24 October 1959, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said:
“Jalut [Goliath] implies the one who creates disorder and shatters the peace of society. Therefore, it means that Allah the Almighty will establish peace in the world through the Promised Messiahas, and eradicate all kinds of mischief and troubles. Thus, continue to propagate Islam and hold fast to the system of Khilafat with complete sincerity. The Promised Messiahas has stated in The Will:
“‘I came from God as a Manifestation of Divine Providence and I am a personification of His Power. And after I am gone there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation of the second Power [of God].’ (The Will, p. 8)
“The Promised Messiahas has also stated:
“‘It is essential for you to witness the second Manifestation also, and its Coming is better for you because it is everlasting the continuity of which will not end till the Day of Judgement.’ (Ibid, p. 7)
“Therefore, you should hold fast to Khilafat till the Day of Judgement, so that God Almighty showers upon you great blessings till the Day of Judgement.” (Al Fazl, 28 October 1959, p. 3)
For the past 115 years, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya has been making great efforts to foster peace in the world, and has granted the world valuable guidance in this regard.
In 2004, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa initiated the annual Peace Symposium in the UK where religious leaders, dignitaries, ambassadors, politicians, diplomats, civil rights organisations, parliamentarians, and stakeholders of different backgrounds are invited and Huzooraa delivers the keynote speech, addressing guests regarding the bleak situation of the world, the lack of peace, the need for justice and the way forward based on the teachings of Islam.
For the past two decades, Huzooraa has been granting valuable guidance to world leaders with regard to establishing lasting peace and harmony. He wrote letters to the leaders of various countries, delivered keynote addresses in several parliaments, and addressed various receptions held in his honour around the world. The point that he has always emphasised is that the only pathway for mankind to achieve peace is turning to the One God, the Creator of this universe.
On 20 March 2010, addressing the peace symposium at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, Huzooraa said:
“I wish to make something very clear, and that is that a relationship of mutual love, affection and loyalty between one person and another cannot be established until a relationship of love, affection and loyalty with the Lord Who created us is developed. Distress and anxiety exist nowadays in a large part of the world’s population because the world has forgotten its Creator. People have forgotten the fundamental teachings of their faith. In fact, a great number of people even reject the existence of God.
“The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has also taught us that the majority of Muslims and non-Muslims have forgotten their fundamental teachings and have gone far away from God. This growing distance from God and religion is increasing the restlessness in the hearts of people. And he said that he had come, therefore, to remove such distance so that the rights of God may be discharged and the rights of God’s creation may also be discharged with feelings of love and sympathy. When these teachings are acted upon then we will observe real peace; otherwise, agitation will once again bring about utter destruction in the world.” (7th Annual Peace Symposium, www.reviewofreligions.org)
In 2012, in his letter to then US president Barack Obama, Huzooraa wrote:
“There is currently great agitation and restlessness in the world. […] There is an urgent need for mankind to recognise its One God, Who is our Creator, as this is the only guarantor for the survival of humanity; otherwise, the world will continue to rapidly head towards self-destruction.” (“Letters Sent to World Leaders – Part 1 (2012)”, www.reviewofreligions.org)
On 29 November 2020, during a virtual mulaqat of Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya Germany with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, a question was asked whether life would ever become normal again after Covid-19 pandemic. Huzooraa replied:
“Allah the Exalted knows best. Even though it may return to normal, the economic state that has developed after the coronavirus pandemic will have consequences for the world. […] I feel that it is quite possible that a war or a conflict could break out after this coronavirus pandemic ends and its ruinous effects could last for many years before it returns to normality.
“Thus, we must pray that such circumstances may not arise, that may lead to wars and that world leaders act with sense so that the global situation can stabilise as quickly as possible and return to normal. To achieve this, it is necessary that mankind turns towards God. […] We should inform people that there is only one solution to help the situation of the world return to normal and that is for mankind to turn to Allah the Exalted and to fulfil His rights and the rights of His creation.” (Al Hakam, 29 October 2021, Issue 189, pp. 7-9)
On 22 May 2021, during a virtual meeting of journalists from The Gambia with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, a journalist referenced Huzoor’saa book, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace and said that Huzooraa had placed great emphasis on global peace. He asked about the importance of justice and why it was crucial to speak out against injustices. In response, Huzooraa said:
“If there is no justice, there is no peace. If you have double standards, as we can see in today’s world, as shown by the big powers, you cannot maintain peace in the world. […] This is why you can see there is disturbance in the world today. So, if there is no justice, there is no peace.” (Al Hakam, 28 May 2021, Issue 167, pp. 1-2)
On 11 September 2021, during a virtual meeting of UK Khuddam with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, a question was asked as to what Huzoor’saa opinion was on the current state of the world. In response, Huzooraa said:
“I have been telling, all the time, to the people of the world – to politicians, to leaders – that they ought to change themselves and try to establish true justice, absolute justice, in the world and discharge their duties to their Creator and their fellow beings. Otherwise, there is no guarantee [about] what is going to happen, and what we can see is a very dark and bleak end of this world.” (Al Hakam, 17 September 2021, Issue 183, p. 6)
On 8 October 2022, during his keynote address at the inaugural reception of the Bait-ul-Ikram Mosque in the USA, Huzooraa said:
“Unquestionably, today the world teeters on the brink of disaster, as nations around the world are engulfed by a ferocious storm of political, economic and social unrest. The war in Ukraine has been raging for months and dark clouds indicating even greater turmoil and warfare are hovering ominously above us. Opposing political blocs and alliances have become progressively entrenched, as the world becomes increasingly polarised. The result is that the peace and security of the world is unravelling by the day.” (“Reception Held For New Ahmadiyya Mosque Opened In Dallas, U.S.A. By Head Of The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)
Huzooraa further said:
“Until recently, threatening to unleash nuclear weapons was considered unthinkable, but now such threats are uttered on an almost daily basis. […] There is no doubt that if a global war erupts, it will be unlike anything the world has ever seen. Surely, its catastrophic and devastating consequences are far beyond our comprehension. Many countries have acquired state-of-the-art weapons that have the deadly capacity to kill thousands upon thousands of people with just one strike. It will not just be us who endure the pain and who grieve, rather our children and future generations will suffer for our sins and their lives will be destroyed through no fault of their own.” (Ibid)
Huzooraa added:
“Undoubtedly, those innocent souls will look back at us with contempt. They will lament why their forefathers let their egos and selfish ways drive them toward destructive wars that left their future generations physically, emotionally and economically crippled. So, my ardent request and message to the world is that we must set aside our differences and work tirelessly to foster peace in society so that we may save our future generations, rather than, God forbid, sentence them to lives filled with nothing except misery and despair.” (Ibid)
May we strive to embody the qualities of the Promised Messiah’sas title, ‘The Prince of Peace’, with the help of Allah, and may the world pay heed to the most sincere advice and guidance given by Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa. Amin.