Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam
History bears witness to the fact that attempts have always been made to efface divine communities from the face of the earth. The opponents with such intentions, however, are unaware that God Almighty has promised the ultimate victory of His communities. God openly declares:
اُولٰٓئِكَ حِزۡبُ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ حِزۡبَ اللّٰهِ هُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ
“They are Allah’s party. Hearken ye [O people]! It is Allah’s party who will be successful.” (Surah al-Mujadalah, Ch.58: V.23)
The same is the case with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, since its history testifies that the opposition could never halt its progress; rather, it has always proved to be fruitful.
The Promised Messiahas once said:
“In a way, my opponents are actually my servants and helpers, because they convey my message to the east and to the west.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 2, p. 112)
In another instance, Huzooras said:
“Note that all kinds of things are made use of in farming. There is water and seeds. Still, there is a need for manure, which is extremely filthy. So, in the same way, filthy opposition does the work of manure for our Movement.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 10, p. 474)
Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
يٰۤاَيُّہَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اسۡتَعِيۡنُوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ وَالصَّلٰوةِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ
“O ye who believe! Seek help with patience and Prayer; surely, Allah is with the steadfast.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch. 2: V. 154)
Commenting on this verse, during his Friday Sermon on 12 November 2010, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“The Holy Quran has commanded Divine communities to always seek help from Allah the Almighty with determination, in order to achieve their objectives. Patience and prayer [dua] enable the believers to succeed. This principle was taught by all religions and prophets prior to Islam, and the Holy Prophetsa also taught us the same thing. […] The history of prophets attests to the fact that prophets and their communities had to endure hardships, and this practice still continues.
“Who could be more beloved to God Almighty than the Holy Prophetsa? But, the hardships that he and his followers had to endure, are not hidden from anyone. However, he carried out tarbiyat of his Companionsra in such a manner that they did not even complain, and they used the methods of patience and prayer whenever they were confronted by any hardship or wars, or whenever oppression of any kind was carried out against them.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 8, pp. 580-585)
Huzooraa then mentioned that once during a sitting with the Promised Messiahas, someone mentioned the opposition of the Jamaat and requested prayers. Upon this, the Promised Messiahas said:
“How can one attain reward without enduring hardships? The Messenger of God, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, endured hardships in Mecca for 13 years. You people are neither [completely] aware of [the level] of the hardships of that era, nor have you faced them [yet]. However, he [the Holy Prophetsa] taught the Companionsra to endure it with patience. At last, all the opponents were destroyed. The time is near when you will witness that these evil people will also vanish. Allah the Almighty has decreed to spread this Jamaat in the world. Nowadays, they harm you as they see you to be fewer in number, however, when this Jamaat will exceed [in numbers], they would themselves become silent. […] Through them, God Almighty desires to teach you patience.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 4, p. 235)
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa continued by saying that in this era, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is facing severe opposition in different parts of the world, and the opponents leave no stone unturned to harm the Jamaat:
“However, despite all these attempts, the Jamaat is spreading all around the world. […] The Jamaat’s propagation is a Divine decree, which has been mentioned by the Promised Messiahas. Due to the oppression carried out against Ahmadis, the Jamaat is spreading in the world at an even greater pace, and this oppression is becoming a source for spreading it further. One is astonished upon witnessing the way Jamaat is being introduced to the world. […] The Promised Messiah’sas prophecy and the promises of Allah the Almighty are being fulfilled with great glory. Therefore, insha-Allah Ta’ala, this prophecy would also be fulfilled that ‘when this Jamaat will exceed [in numbers], they [the opponents] would themselves become silent.’ […]
“Allah the Almighty grants victories to only those who are steadfast in their faith, whose level of patience is very high, who have firm faith in Almighty Allah’s promises, in whom temporary hardships and sufferings instil a new life, and who are aware that the [opposition] is in fact serving as a ‘manure’ for them. Therefore, it is our duty to continue enduring temporary trials and afflictions with patience and steadfastness and to pay more attention to our prayers [dua]. […]
“We Ahmadis have full certainty that the opposition to Ahmadiyyat can never halt its progress. At different places in the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty has announced His help [for Divine communities]. Allah the Almighty has told in various places that ‘I support My servants and My Jamaat – which I establish’. Moreover, it continues to grant us the firm belief that Ahmadiyyat will be victorious, insha-Allah.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 8, pp. 584-585)
On 27 December 1950, during his address at the Jalsa Salana Rabwah, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said:
“The world does not befriend us, but the reason is not that we have afflicted any loss upon them or oppressed anyone, rather it is due to the fact that we have made a bond with our Creator and Master. This is the reason behind the world’s enmity towards us. However, we can never abandon our Master, and for this sake, we can even sacrifice our lives. […] The enmity of our opponents towards us is only because we have accepted the Call of God Almighty. […] The opponents want us to abandon God, whereas if we abandon Him then we would have nothing left, either in this world or the Hereafter. These people want us to leave God, however, we only have one response: ‘Take from us our country, freedom, honour, wealth, and we are even ready to sacrifice our lives, but we will never abandon God Almighty.’” (Al Fazl, 31 December 1950, p.3)
On 26 December 1956, during his address at the Jalsa Salana Rabwah, Huzoorra said that it is the sheer grace of Allah the Almighty that He has enabled Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to make great sacrifices to propagate the teachings of Islam throughout the world, and Ahmadiyyat is leaping forward despite facing severe opposition. If the opponents of Ahmadiyyat have the slightest of honesty and are the true followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, they need to glance into the great efforts made by the Jamaat to propagate the message of Islam the world over. Ahmadis are ever ready to offer any sacrifice for the cause of Islam.
Huzoorra further said that the opponents assume that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is a weak community, so, they could overpower this Jamaat quite easily, since they consider themselves to be more ‘powerful’. However, Huzoorra said, the opponents do not realise that God Almighty is continuously sending down His Help for this Jamaat, which would ultimately shatter their plans into pieces:
“We have hope in Allah the Almighty and complete trust in His promises that Ahmadiyyat will continue to be victorious over its opponents till the Day of Judgement, the Jamaat will achieve great esteem, [its members] will be ever ready to offer any sacrifice for the cause of Ahmadiyyat, and their opponents will always see the failure and humiliation. The current [generation of the] Jamaat, as well as their future generations, will raise the flag of Islam high till the Day of Judgement.” (Al Fazl, 17 March 1957, p. 2)
Huzoorra further said:
“I have been witnessing throughout the 42 years of my Khilafat that whenever the opponents persecute us, we have the support of God, which enables us to progress. […] It is the blessing and grace of Allah the Almighty, which will continue as long as you stay firm in your faith. You are the seed that has been sown by God and that will continue to flourish and spread, as He states in the Holy Quran […]:
اَصۡلُہَا ثَابِتٌ وَّفَرۡعُہَا فِي السَّمَآءِ
[“Whose root is firm and whose branches reach into heaven.” (Surah Ibrahim, Ch. 14: V. 25)]
“Meaning that its roots would spread around the world, and its branches would reach into heaven.
“In other words, you will spread in this world by the grace of God Almighty, as stated by the Promised Messiahas, that a time will come when the number of his followers will exceed so much that the other people will turn into a minority.
“And the words فَرۡعُہَا فِی السَّمَآءِ mean that in addition to spreading the world over, you would glorify the remembrance of Allah so much that the angels would also be delighted and pleased that ‘Our God is being remembered on the earth, just like we do in the Heavens.’ […] The Ahmadis will fill the earth with the remembrance of God, just like the angels have filled the Heavens with His remembrance. Therefore, it has been decreed and will certainly happen, insha-Allah Ta’ala. The only need is for us to stay firm in our faith, and continue to strengthen faith in our progeny as well. If we will carry on this task of tarbiyat, then Islam and Ahmadiyyat will [spiritually] conquer this world.” (Al Fazl, 17 March 1957, p. 3)
Huzoorra then mentioned some allegations raised against the Promised Messiahas, by the non-Ahmadi Muslims, and said:
“The Promised Messiahas spent his whole life in the service of Islam. In spite of this, they raise allegations against him, just because the Ahmadis are in minority. However, they will not remain in the minority forever, they will spread and flourish, and a time will come when [the opponents] will turn into a minority and Ahmadis will gain a majority.” (Ibid, p. 5)
Alluding to his opposition, the Promised Messiahas once said:
“It is unfortunate that our unworthy opponents cannot even bring themselves to at least listen calmly to the truth that I present, for they are empty of such lofty morals. Otherwise, devotion to the truth demands the following:
مرد بايد کہ گيرد اندر گوش
گر نوشت است پند بر ديوار
“‘A man ought to put into his ear; a piece of advice, even if written on a wall.’” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 2, pp. 46-47)
During his Friday Sermon on 2 April 1957, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that it is a distinctive feature of the believers to have firm faith in Allah the Almighty, therefore, they never fear the opposition of any kind, since they believe that Allah will surely help them to ease their hardships.
Huzoorra continued:
“We should pray to God Almighty that though the opponents are trying to spread hatred against us, ‘O God, instil in them a sentiment of love towards us, instead of hatred.’ […] The reality is that sometimes the opponents attempt to enrage people against the believers, however, such efforts eventually prove to be fruitful for the believers. […] Thus, a believer never becomes anxious upon facing suffering and afflictions, but rather it encourages them and they believe that Allah the Almighty will grant them even more help and succour.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 38, pp. 101-105)
Huzoorra further said that when lies and distorted facts are attributed to a Divine community on a regular basis, then God Almighty grants them even more help and succour, since they are being persecuted and killed because they proclaim رَبُّنَا اللہ, meaning that ‘Allah is our Lord’. (Ibid, pp. 105-106)
During his Friday Sermon on 19 July 1957, Huzoorra said:
“One who firmly trusts and believes in God, eventually succeeds. Hence, look, Adamas, Noahas, Hudas, Abrahamas, Lotas, Shoaibas, Mosesas, Jesusas, Muhammadsa Rasulullah, and later on, thousands of saints within the ummah of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, had complete trust in God, and as a result, they all succeeded.
“The Holy Quran states this reality in the words:
وَلَا تَايۡـَٔسُوۡا مِنۡ رَّوۡحِ اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّہٗ لَا يَايۡـَٔسُ مِنۡ رَّوۡحِ اللّٰہِ اِلَّا الۡقَوۡمُ الۡکٰفِرُوۡنَ
“‘And despair not of the mercy of Allah; for none despairs of Allah’s mercy save the unbelieving people.’ (Surah Yusuf, Ch. 12: V. 88)
“The fact is that the one who truly believes in God Almighty, always keeps in mind the blessed lives of Muhammad Rasulullahsa, Mosesas, Jesusas, Elijahas, Zakariyahas, Shoaibas, Lotas, Abrahamas, Noahas, and Adamas. And it never lets one be disappointed [in times of trials and tribulations], since they [prophets] had to endure countless incidents where one could never imagine that they would succeed, however, they eventually succeeded [despite all the opposition]. […] When a person holds complete trust in God Almighty, their hope is strengthened, and they never submit to despair in any given circumstance. There have been thousands of chosen ones of God Almighty who never lost their trust in Him, despite facing severe difficulties, and eventually, God granted them success.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 38, pp. 159-160)
Huzoorra further said:
“When Allah the Almighty grants help [to His servants], He does so through means that human beings cannot even imagine. Allah the Almighty has made great promises about our Jamaat as well. Therefore, Allah the Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiahas [in 1886]:
“‘God will maintain your name with honour till the day when the world comes to an end and will convey your message to the ends of the earth. I shall exalt you and shall call you to Myself, but your name will never be erased from the face of the earth. It will so happen that all those who seek to humiliate you, and are determined to cause you to fail and wish to ruin you will themselves be frustrated and will die in failure and frustration. But God will grant you complete success and will grant you all that you desire. I will cause an increase of your true and sincere friends and shall bless their lives and their properties and they will grow in number and they will prevail over the other Muslims – who are jealous of you and are hostile to you – till the Day of Judgement. God will not forget your supporters and will not lose sight of them and they will have their reward according to the degree of their devotion.’ (Tadhkirah [English], p. 181)” (Ibid, pp. 162-163)
Towards the end, Huzoorra said:
“In short [God Almighty] will treat us in the same way as He treated the [righteous] people of the past. God has not changed His practice. God is still the same as He was in the past. […] Therefore, Ahmadis are required to remove all kinds of anxieties from their hearts, and they must realise that honour and success have been decreed for them [by God Almighty]. No doubt, there will be some hardships in this way, however, they will be temporary, and Allah the Almighty will blow away those afflictions with His grace, and they will be the recipients of His blessings. […] Success has been decreed for those who inculcate within themselves [firm] faith and certainty, remain steadfast and resolute amidst tribulations, and hold fast to God Almighty. Those who hold fast to God are always destined to be successful.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 38, pp. 164)
Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
وَاصۡبِرۡ وَمَا صَبۡرُکَ اِلَّا بِاللّٰہِ وَلَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا تَکُ فِيۡ ضَيۡقٍ مِّمَّا يَمۡکُرُوۡنَ۔ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ مَعَ الَّذِيۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا وَّالَّذِيۡنَ ہُمۡ مُّحۡسِنُوۡنَ
“And endure thou with patience; and verily thy patience is possible only with the help of Allah. And grieve not for them, nor feel distressed because of their plots. Verily, Allah is with those who are righteous and those who do good.” (Surah an-Nahl, Ch. 16: V. 128-129)
Commenting on this verse, during his Friday Sermon on 26 July 1957, Huzoorra said:
“These verses of the Holy Quran encompass a vast subject in them, and it is necessary for religious communities to always keep it in mind.
“Allah the Almighty states in this verse وَاصۡبِرۡ, meaning that ‘O addressee! Endure [the hardships] with patience and do not fear the opposition.’ [Then states:] وَمَا صَبۡرُکَ اِلَّا بِاللّٰہِ, meaning that undoubtedly it is apparently very hard to endure with patience, however, if one acts with prayer [dua] then they are able to endure the hardships with patience. […]
“[Then Allah states:] وَلَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ, meaning that if you will endure [the suffering] with patience and keep trust in Allah the Almighty, then God Almighty will fail the attempts of your opponents. Therefore, do not ever think that your patience will encourage the opponents and they will intensify the opposition; rather, your patience will cause the plans of your opponents to fail. Thus, do not worry. God has decreed that He will destroy those who harm the believers without any reason. If we ponder over history, it tells us that the same happened in every era.
“During the times of Adamas, Noahas, Abrahamas, Mosesas, Jesusas, and the Holy Prophetsa, their opponents got ruined. […] In short, patience always results in the help and succour of Allah the Almighty, however, it is not very easy to endure with patience. […] It is Allah the Almighty who grants one the courage to endure with patience, and once they endure with patience, they are helped by Allah the Almighty.
“The words وَلَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ allude to the prophecy that one should not worry about the opposition, since Allah the Almighty has decreed that they [opponents of Divine communities] will be ruined [by God]. Therefore, look at the tribulations that had been afflicted by the opponents during the time of Muhammad Rasulullahsa, however, [the opponents] failed in their plans, and Muhammad Rasulullahsa achieved the victory. […]
“The Promised Messiahas also had to endure thousands of tribulations in his life, however, Allah the Almighty always granted him succour in those trying times. […] In short, patience yields very sweet results. The members [of the Jamaat] are required to endure all difficulties with patience, and pray fervently to Allah the Almighty. He will certainly remove their hardships and grant them success at last.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 38, pp. 165-169)
In regards to showing steadfastness in one’s faith, the Promised Messiahas said:
“A person must join God’s Messenger, and strive and endeavour on this path together with him. It does not behove one who strives in the cause of Allah to flee within an hour or two. In fact, the task of such a person is to remain forever ready to give their life. So, the hallmark of a righteous person is steadfastness. In this regard, Allah the Exalted states:
اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ قَالُوۡا رَبُّنَا اللّٰہُ ثُمَّ اسۡتَقَامُوۡا
“[As for those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast. (Surah Ha Mim as-Sajdah, Ch. 41, V. 31)]
“Meaning, they say our Lord is Allah, then show steadfastness; and turn away from all else to find God. In other words, success depends on steadfastness. And steadfastness is to recognise God and stand unshaken in the face of all difficulty, trial and tribulation.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 1, pp. 23-24)
During his Friday Sermon on 30 August 1957, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said:
“When the Holy Prophetsa came, he presented a teaching which was a source of betterment and success for mankind, however, his countrymen rejected him, and followed Abu Jahl instead. […] The fact is that since the time Allah the Almighty has been sending His prophets and Khulafa, the truth has always been opposed. […] We witness that the practice [of opposing God’s chosen ones] is still continuing, and we do not know when it will end.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 38, pp. 189-192)
During his Friday Sermon on 8 August 2014, while speaking about the opposition of the Jamaat, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“At this juncture, I am reminded of a dream, which I have previously narrated as well. That is, if we wish to see a change in circumstances and save the Jamaat from these trials, then, as a Jamaat [community], we must prostrate to Allah by purifying our souls for His sake and sincerely and earnestly praying to Him. If we submit to Allah in this manner and this is the state across the Jamaat and our nights are spent in such a way that we pray for the Jamaat, then in a matter of a few days, as a result of a few nights’ prayers, a revolution can be brought about. Otherwise, a revolution shall come and circumstances shall change, but this will take time. It is the Almighty Allah’s promise that circumstances will change, insha-Allah.” (Al Hakam, 5 August 2022, Issue 229, p. 3)
During his Friday Sermon on 6 April 2012, Huzooraa said:
“Every martyrdom, every sacrifice, should strengthen our faith, and then you will witness how the blessings of Allah Almighty are manifested, insha-Allah Ta’ala. You are required to endure with patience, courage and prayer. […] I have been saying before and will advise you once again that our only means are patience and prayer, and if every Ahmadi utilises them appropriately, then you will see as to how Allah Almighty showers His grace upon us. Even now, Allah Almighty is rewarding us far more than our efforts and prayers. So, there is no reason for us to be dejected or disheartened. Apparently, the opponents have terrible plans, however, Allah Almighty says: وَلَا تَحۡزَنُوۡا, meaning ‘Do not grieve’ [Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ch. 3: V. 140]. Insha-Allah the opponent’s plans will fail, their desire to efface the Jamaat will never be fulfilled […] and the pious-natured people among them will continue to join Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. Thus, every sacrifice draws our attention, and should do so, that Allah Almighty has made us jump one step further to turn our minority into majority.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 10, pp. 219-220)
The history of Ahmadiyyat bears witness that in every era, opponents have left no stone unturned to harm the Jamaat, however, they were at a loss in each and every attempt.
In every trial and affliction, the members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya remain steadfast and seek help from Allah the Almighty alone, as He has promised to help and support His divine Jamaat.
The history of Ahmadiyyat is full of examples where – despite severe opposition and persecution – the members exhibited steadfastness of faith and gave precedence to the faith over the world.
Two weeks ago, on 11 January 2023, nine Ahmadis from Burkina Faso were brutally martyred. They were asked to renounce their faith in Islam Ahmadiyyat, however, they showed exemplary firmness of faith and sacrificed their lives instead of deviating from their faith. They honoured their pledge of allegiance to the Promised Messiahas in an astonishing manner.
During his Friday Sermon on 20 January 2023, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“Recently, in Burkina Faso, which is a country on the continent of Africa, members of the Jamaat collectively demonstrated a remarkable and a truly unique example of the utmost love, loyalty, sincerity, faith and conviction. These individuals were given the option to deny the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas, and accept the notion that Jesusas is alive in the heavens and will descend from there, and thereby their lives would be spared. However, those individuals who were filled with faith and conviction, whose faith was even stronger than the mountains, responded by saying that ‘everyone is going to eventually pass away, if not today then tomorrow, therefore, we cannot compromise our faith in exchange for saving our lives. We cannot abandon the truth that we have already witnessed.’ And thus, each of them, one after the other, sacrificed their lives. Their women and children were also witnessing those scenes, but they remained in control of their emotions.
“Thus, these are the people who have written a new chapter of sacrifices in Africa, in fact in the history of Ahmadiyyat, i.e. after the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas, wherein Hazrat Sahibzada Sahibra offered a sacrifice. They sacrificed their lives in this world, and in turn, attained an eternal life. They indeed fulfilled the oath that they had taken to sacrifice their lives, wealth and time, and indeed fulfilled it in such a manner that despite having joined later, they have surpassed those who had joined before them. May Allah the Almighty enable each one of them to become the recipient of those glad tidings which He has given to those who offer sacrifices in His way.”
The fact of the matter is, despite severe opposition, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is continuously progressing under the divine leadership of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya and will continue to do so, insha-Allah.
It is the duty of each and every Ahmadi to always remain loyal to their pledge of bai’at, and to become a sultan-e-naseer of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. May Allah enable us all to obey each and every instruction given to us by Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.