Ayesha Naseem, UK
When injustice takes place, or when an individual or group is oppressed and their voice is undermined, the society around them can become their voice by condemning the injustices, raising awareness about them, peacefully protesting, and conveying their concerns to their government and the local elected officials.
There is always something an ordinary member of society can do for the oppressed. Then it is the collected effort that raises pressure and demands response and action from governments and leaders on terms that the public expresses. This solidarity has been on display across the world ever since the Israeli aggression started almost eight months ago.
Yet, what has been starkly missing is a united voice of condemnation from the Muslim nations in the region and beyond. As the Middle East finds itself tied to another escalatory war, Muslim leaders of these affluent nations are still missing from the scene. It’s like they are not even trying anymore.
But there is currently only one display of a unified Muslim condemnation of Israeli and Western injustices and that is by the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and, subsequently, based on his guidance, by its members.
Muslim countries and their divisive solidarity
In a time when Palestinians in the Gaza Strip face extreme levels of oppression and injustice, one would expect that, at least, due to the severity of the situation, all Muslim countries and their leaders would set aside their internal differences and would be the one unified voice of condemnation. But they weren’t.
Independent statements of condemnation were released, Israeli aggression was criticised and the Western support for it was questioned. Still, over seven months on, a single joint statement has not been issued by all Muslim nations together. What has been said so far became strong in tone yet lost its already fragile momentum soon after, and now whatever is left echoes like mere words alone.
When the United States and the United Kingdom can use the airspace of Muslim sovereign countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to airstrike another Muslim sovereign state, Yemen, what can a statement of condemnation against Israel do there? What influence or impact would such a call have when, instead of bringing leaders together to find a solution through negotiation and dialogue, these nations are facilitating more war and aggression?
A thematic series on the Holy Prophetsa and his great exemplary character and leadership during the defensive wars that were fought during his lifetime is currently ongoing in weekly Friday Sermons. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has been narrating detailed accounts of how those wars took place, and how the Holy Prophetsa led the Muslim army and dealt with the enemy. The conduct during war, the rules of recompense and the importance of dialogue and negotiation with the formation of treaties to avoid escalation and more animosity are some of the aspects we have learnt about.
As someone bestowed with the responsibility given to him by Allah the Almighty to bring the truth of Islam and its message to the world, this thematic series being covered weekly in Friday Sermons by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa rings very contemporary and faith-inspiring.
If only, Muslim, and non-Muslim leaders alike, heard this and paid heed to it, we may just come to witness a world that progresses its way out of injustice and unrest.
Rope of Allah: The institution of Khilafat
In the Holy Quran, it is stated:
وَاعۡتَصِمُوۡا بِحَبۡلِ اللّٰہِ جَمِيۡعًا وَّلَا تَفَرَّقُوۡا ۪ وَاذۡکُرُوۡا نِعۡمَتَ اللّٰہِ عَلَيۡکُمۡ اِذۡ کُنۡتُمۡ اَعۡدَآءً فَاَلَّفَ بَيۡنَ قُلُوۡبِکُمۡ فَاَصۡبَحۡتُمۡ بِنِعۡمَتِہٖۤ اِخۡوَانًا
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah and be not divided; and remember the favour of Allah which He bestowed upon you when you were enemies and He united your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became as brothers.” (Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, Ch.3, V.104)
The digression to this concept of the rope of Allah is important to understand for the current discussion because, apart from the institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, there is no other Muslim institution or leadership which has urged unity for the greater cause of stability and peace for Muslims and the wider world.
In the Five Volume Commentary of the Holy Quran, it is explained:
“The Holy Prophetsa is reported to have said: “The Book of God is the rope of Allah which has been extended from the heavens to the earth” (Jarir, iv. 30). Broadly speaking, there are three things which may be taken to have been here meant by the rope of God, by holding fast to which Muslims may remain united and be safe against disunion and disruption: (1) the Quran; (2) the Messenger of God; (3) the Successors to the Messenger of God […]
“It may be noted here that whenever the Quran speaks of the open or secret hostility of the enemies of Islam, it exhorts Muslims to be strong of faith; for it is at such times that one is likely to waver and show weakness in resolution. Thus, after referring to the hostility of the People of the Book (Chapter 3:100-101) the Quran exhorts Muslims: (1) to fear God as He should be feared (Chapter 3:103); (2) to be constant in obedience to God (Chapter 3:103); and (3) to hold fast to the rope of God and preserve themselves from disunion (Chapter 3:104).” (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 2, pp. 538-539)
It does not take much to see the glaringly obvious evidence of disunity among the Muslim ummah at present. Divided into sects, divided by politics, wealth, and power, and deviated, far and beyond, from the teachings and principles of their faith. Instead of being dependent on Allah the Almighty, His Religion and His Holy Book, Muslim nations and leaders are now entirely dependent on Western nations for material and political gains.
There is no concept of justice demonstrated by them that is enjoined by the Holy Qur’an, there is no sympathy for one’s brother, let alone wider mankind and at the centre of everything, there is a clear lack of one leadership to guide them.
The Holy Quran touches on this subject in the above verse as well:
“The words, remember the favour of Allah, signify that as one can properly appreciate a boon of God only when one experiences the disadvantages that result from its absence, so the Quran reminds Muslims of the discord and enmity that existed between them before they became united in Islam. The words, He united your hearts in love, show that according to Islam it is no great virtue to bear no malice or hatred to others. Nor does Islam inculcate a life of seclusion and detachment. What it requires is positive love for, and active sympathy with, fellow beings. One who is devoid of this is really devoid of true faith.” (Ibid.)
It is for this reason, prophethood and its successorship in the form of Khilafat is a necessity. One leadership, based on compassion and justice, a leadership that unites people on one hand not only encourages and fosters brotherhood but also raises a community that has something to hold on to even if the world stands against them.
This is why Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, established with divine guidance and help after the prophethood of the Promised Messiahas, has united Ahmadis across the world. With one leader and his one voice, all Ahmadis obey; something that is missing from the majority of the Muslim world today. This is why even in the face of the extreme oppression that Muslims are facing in the world, there is no unified voice from among the known Muslim leaders in their defence.
Islam Ahmadiyyat has that one unified voice, and because that voice is established by the guidance and will of Allah the Almighty, it is also the voice of the oppressed.
Suspension of funding for UNRWA – Where are the Muslims?
It’s been several months since Western capitals, including the UK and the USA, suspended the funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) over allegations against 12 of their staff members being involved in the October 7 attacks. Israeli authorities themselves have now reduced the suspected number of staff to just six people. A relief agency that has over 30,000 workers has been denied funding over accusations concerning just six people. An action that has devastating and far-reaching consequences as the organisation is not only the largest provider of aid and supplies of basic necessities in Gaza but with the Israeli invasion of Rafah – where more than one million Palestinians are seeking refuge – and the state of famine across Gaza, the suspension of funding from the wealthiest nations is simply cruel. (“Israeli intelligence report claims four UNRWA staff in Gaza involved in Hamas kidnappings”, news.sky.com)
Earlier this year, during his Friday Sermon on 2 February 2024, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa expressed his concern on this and stated:
“To withhold assistance from the Palestinians under these pretexts would be an act of oppression. It is nothing more than a means of coercion.” (Al Hakam Online, 2 February 2024, x.com)
Some months later, Germany and other European nations began restoring funding for UNWRA when it was established that Israel could not provide sufficient evidence about the allegations against the relief agency’s staff. Even when the suspension of funding was making headlines, politicians, and journalists focused on how damaging it will be if it was not lifted immediately. However, no one, even once, thought or asked: Where are the leaders of the wealthy Muslim countries at this moment?
There was only one global Muslim leader who raised this question and brought our attention to it. Allah the Almighty’s appointed Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed this in his Friday Sermon and said:
“What is bewildering, though, is the silence from oil-affluent Muslim nations; no declarations of support have been forthcoming, especially since the UN agency has announced its inability to extend aid beyond February without further assistance. May Allah enable these Muslim nations to fulfil their roles and bring an end to global turmoil.” [Amin].(Ibid.)
Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya’s call for Muslim unity
The call to be united by the Ahmadiyya Khalifa is not new. Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya has always warned the world and specifically Muslims, about the necessity of adopting unity, and has always advised the Muslims that unity is crucial to confront the challenges faced by the Muslim world.
For more details, see “The Ahmadiyya Khilafat’s call for Muslim unity: The solution to Israel-Palestine issue”, www.alhakam.org.
In December 1948, after the creation of the state of Israel, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered an address at the Law College Lahore, titled “Maujooda Halaat mein Aalam-e-Islam ki Haisiyyat aur uska Mustaqbil” – The Status and Future of the Islamic World in light of the current situation. Huzoorra drew attention to the prevalent crisis and advised the Muslim world regarding it:
“In my view, the Islamic world’s future is completely safe, provided we [Muslims] act upon those means of success which the Holy Quran has prescribed for us”, and that the Islamic countries ought to dispel their internal enmities and instil a passion to offer sacrifices for each other. (“Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s services to the Muslim cause: Guidance for Turkey, peace in the Arab world and the Kashmir Movement”, www.alhakam.org)
Even in these recent months and weeks, while drawing the attention of Ahmadi Muslims to fervently pray for the Palestinians and to pray for the peace of the world, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has been urging Muslim leaders to set aside their differences for the sake of the peace and stability for the oppressed Muslims.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa is currently the only Muslim leader who has been openly condemning the injustices against the Palestinians and has also strictly denounced Western hypocrisy and their lack of interest in trying to end conflicts. Despite having no political or material power, Huzooraa has provided the world with a solution that can restore peace everywhere. A message that he has been sharing for two decades.
In 2014, when Israeli aggression had taken a new high against the Palestinians, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa provided a detailed analysis and stated:
“The result of the lack of unity is that non-Muslim countries now have the confidence to do whatever they please against the Muslims and this is the very reason that Israel is currently engaged in killing scores of innocent Palestinians in the cruellest manner… If the Muslims were united and followed the path of God, then the collective strength of the Muslim nations is so great that this cruelty could never have taken place.” (“World Muslim Leader prays for innocent Victims of Israel-Palestine Conflict”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)
Even now, Huzooras has repeated his message. In his Friday Sermon on 8 December 2023, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“The non-Muslim world knows that there is no unity among the Muslims. Instead, Muslims are intent on killing other Muslims. Horrific things are happening in the war in Yemen. Similar atrocities are happening in other countries. Thousands of innocent children are dying at the hands of Muslims, actually hundreds of thousands in some places. This is what gives others the courage to think that ‘it doesn’t matter if you oppress them, as they oppress themselves’.
“When Muslims don’t care for the lives of other Muslims, why should the enemy care? Allah has given a very stern warning in the Qur’an. That those Muslims who kill other Muslims are hell-bound. May Allah make it so that Muslims, by becoming one, become a means of ending injustices in the world, rather than fighting one another.” Amin. (Press Ahmadiyya, 8th December 2023, x.com)
Furthermore, during his address to the concluding session of Jalsa Salana Ghana, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated: “The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O servants of Allah, be brothers to one another. A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim. He cannot harm his brother. Nor can he humiliate him, and nor can he think lowly of him.” After that, as he indicated towards his chest, the Holy Prophetsa said three times: “Righteousness lies here. It is evil for a man to think lowly of his brother. The blood, property and honour of every Muslim are unlawful for another Muslim.” (“100 Years Of Islam Ahmadiyyat In Ghana: Historic Jalsa Salana Ghana 2024 Concludes With Faith Inspiring Address”, Press Ahmadiyya, 24 February 2024)
Commenting on this teaching, Huzooraa said:
“It is of the utmost regret, that, despite being the direct recipients of this teaching, Muslims and their leaders in many Islamic countries are cruelly targeting one another and treating each other as enemies – all in the name of Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Often, only for the sake of preserving their political power and vested interests, Muslim Governments and their leaders engage in barbaric cruelty and transgress all limits of justice. Hence, all of you… should sincerely pray for an end to oppression and injustice and for true peace to prevail in the world.” (Ibid.)
While highlighting the dire state of the Muslim world, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa directed Ahmadis that they must “consider upholding the dignity and honour of Islam of even greater value than our lives, our children, our honour, and wealth.” (Ibid.)
Conclusion: The path to God is the only path to peace
As aforementioned, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra also explained in his commentary that it is with belief in God Almighty and with unity among your brothers of faith that one can stay resolute and firm on faith in times of hardships and tribulations. This is also the one message that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has repeatedly emphasised to the world, that there is no salvation or peace without recognising and believing in God Almighty.
During the Friday Sermon earlier this year, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa reiterated that:
“The world must recognise that without turning to God, there is no other path for them. Their survival hinges on acknowledging God and accepting His Messenger, peace be upon him. May God grant them the capacity to do so.” [Amin.] (Friday Sermon, 2 February 2024, Al Hakam, x.com)
This Khilafat Day, as the Muslim world looks divided, lost, and confronted with all sorts of challenges and enemies, we have the blessed words of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to show gratitude and to also reap the benefits of the blessings that come from believing in and obeying Khilafat and staying united under the flag of Islam Ahmadiyyat.
Huzooraa said:
“In this era, Allah the Almighty has blessed us with the institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Thus, every Ahmadi must remain faithful, loyal, and obedient to Khilafat and must continually elevate their bond of love and sincerity with the Khalifa of the Time. That is the key to our continued progress and the means for us to observe the everlasting success of our Community.” (“100 Years Of Islam Ahmadiyyat In Ghana: Historic Jalsa Salana Ghana 2024 Concludes With Faith Inspiring Address”, Press Ahmadiyya, 24 February 2024)