The Ahmadiyya Khilafat’s call for Muslim unity: The solution to Israel-Palestine issue

Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam

Following in the footsteps of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as, the Khulafa of Ahmadiyyat have always urged Muslims to unite for the victory and protection of Muslim countries, people and Islam as a whole. The need for this unity is being felt more than ever today and cries for a khilafat have been seen by all even during the current crisis in Palestine.

Need for practical efforts

With recent atrocities against the Palestinians, it is a shame that Muslim countries are not united so as to speak up for them. We don’t see any practical efforts on their part to tackle the issue either.

The OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) deemed it sufficient to merely “condemn” Israel’s brutal aggression against the Palestinian people, in an emergency meeting on 16 May 2021. Pakistan – whose first foreign minister, Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khan^ra strived hard for the Palestinian cause in the United Nations – has now sufficed on merely passing a resolution of condemnation in its parliament. 

The current conflict has exposed the differences among the Muslims states. “For the first time in the many clashes between the two foes, regional unity over who is to blame and what should be done to stop the fighting has splintered”, reported The Guardian on 17 May 2021.

Some Muslim majority countries, such as Turkey and Iran, have spoken against Israel’s atrocities, but the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan, “which all recently normalised ties with Israel, now find themselves balancing their new relationships against citizens who have been vocal in their anger at Israel’s violence” reported The Guardian.

Historically, the Ahmadiyya Khilafat actually urged Muslims to unite for the protection of Muslim majority lands, especially Palestine.

1939 Palestine Conference in London

In February 1939, when the British government organised a conference of the Arab countries in relation to the issue of Palestine, Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddin Shams^ra, an Ahmadi missionary, invited the viceroy of Mecca and representatives of Palestine, Iraq and Yemen to a dinner party in which 200 guests participated, including many dignitaries.

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II^ra sent a telegram which was read out in both English and Arabic. Huzoor^ra said:

“Welcome his Royal Highness the Amir Faisal and the Palestine Conference delegates, on my behalf, and tell them that the community is completely with them, and prays that God may give them success and may help all Arab States on the path of prosperity and give them the leadership of the Muslim world—the leadership which they possessed in the early centuries of Islam.” (Al Fazl, 16 March 1939, p. 2)

A Quranic prophecy

While commentating on verses 22 to 26 of Surah Saad, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra stated:

“The Holy Quran has stated a prophecy in these verses, which is a similitude and a divine vision in regard to the Latter Days. In this, God Almighty has said that those belonging to the progeny of David^as, or his followers (who are both Jews and Christians) will possess 99 per cent of the world’s power, and on the opposite, the followers of the Holy Prophet^sa would only have 1 per cent. Even then, they [Jews and Christians] would conspire to occupy the remaining 1 per cent [from the Muslims] as well. 

“The Holy Quran mentions the word kifalat. […] The European people use the term, ‘Mandate’ for those countries which they have occupied after the recent war [World War II], and the meaning of ‘mandate’ is kifalat [authority]. Nowadays, the same word is being used for Palestine. So, in these verses, it has been told that Christians and Jews would demand from the Muslims in relation to Palestine: ‘Hand over this as well to us’. Now, President [Harry] Truman [of the USA] is sending telegrams that Jews should be allowed to settle in Palestine […].”

Huzoor^ra raised a pertinent question as to why countries such as America, Australia and England were not ready to let the Jews settle in their respective countries, despite having large areas [of land] in comparison to the area of Palestine. (Al Fazl, 31 October 1945, p. 2)

Al-Inzaar

In 1946, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra, saw a vision in which he was foretold by Allah the Almighty that a delicate time was coming for Islam and Muslims needed to unite to tackle that issue. He wrote an article, titled Al-Inzaar (The Warning), wherein he mentioned his vision in detail and advised the Muslims in this regard. He stated:

“This divine vision has called our attention to the fact that a very delicate time is coming for Islam and Muslims are required to unite in worldly and political matters. Moreover, each person ought to prioritise unity above all other matters because the salvation of Muslims lies in this [unity]. This is a very difficult thing [to achieve], not an easy one. […]

“While narrating this divine vision, I advise each Ahmadi that they should call the attention of the Muslims in their respective circles that ‘Your division will cause your destruction’. At this juncture, you [Muslims] ought to forget about yourselves, your thoughts and your parties and should strive to unite everyone who claims to be a Muslim for the protection of Islam, and should leave aside all differences. […]   

“I believe that even now, if the Muslims gather for unity, instead of emphasising the differences, then the future of Islam will not remain dark.” (Al Fazl, 28 August 1946, p. 3)

Pray for the Muslim world

Then, during his Friday Sermon of 30 August 1946, he instructed the Jamaat to especially pray for the Muslim world. He stated:

“The circumstances faced by the Muslims nowadays are very bleak. The identity of the Muslims in places such as India, Palestine, Egypt, Indonesia is in severe danger. […] So, all members [of the Jamaat] should especially pray in these days. The other Muslims [non-Ahmadis] should also be urged to start praying, as there is no other remedy for the Muslims. Until the Muslims step aside from worldliness and the pursuit of luxury and unite for offering all types of sacrifices […] success is impossible.” (Al Fazl, 10 September 1946, p. 2)

Al-Kufru Millatun Wahidah

Two years later, when Israel was established on 14 May 1948, conspiracies regarding Palestine emerged openly and at that time, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra made efforts to awaken the Muslim ummah. He wrote a masterpiece, titled Al-Kufru Millatun Wahidah and called on all Muslims to unite as one. 

He stated:

“The day which was prophesied by the Holy Quran and the ahadith hundreds of years ago; the day which was prophesied in the Torah and Gospels; the day which was told to be painful and dangerous for the Muslims has seemingly arrived. Jews are being inhabited in Palestine. 

“America and Russia […] seem to be on the same page. And strangely, they both were united on the Kashmir issue as well. […] It is strange that the disputes of Palestine and Kashmir have emerged at the same time. […]

“So, I draw the Muslims’ attention towards this matter that they should understand this delicate time and remember that today, the saying of the Holy Prophet^sa: 

اَلْكُفْرُ مِلَّةٌ وَّاحِدَةٌ

“[kufr is one nation] is being fulfilled to the letter.”  (Al Fazl, 21 May 1948, p. 3)

He further stated:

“The Arab [world] knows that now, the Jews are considering throwing out the Arabs from the [land of] Arabia […] But do the people of Arabia have any strength [to tackle this]? Does this matter belong only to the Arab?

“Obviously, neither the Arabs have any strength for this competition, nor does this matter only belong to the Arabs.

“The question is not about Palestine; it is about Medina. The question is not about Jerusalem; it is about Mecca al-Mukarrimah itself. The question is not about Zaid [A] or Bakr [B]; it is about the honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa.

“The enemy has united against Islam, despite their [internal] disagreements. Will the Muslim [ummah] not unite despite the thousands of reasons for unity?” (Ibid)

Then, in regard to the impact of America and Russia, he said:

“The wealth of America and Russia’s plans and deceits, both are united against the poor Arabs.” (Ibid)

This article had a great impact in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and other Arab countries. Syrian radio stations aired its summary and many Arabic newspapers published its excerpts, including Al-Yaum, Al-Akhbar, Al-Nasr and Al-Urdan. 

A famous and respected journalist of Iraq, Al-Ustadh Ali al-Khayat Affendi stated in an article in his newspaper, Al-Anbaa‘:

“Foreign governments always try to spread hatred among the Muslims through slogans [of some other Muslims], and [they try to urge] some sects to stand for objecting Ahmadis and declaring them infidels […] A representative of a foreign country’s government, residing in Baghdad, called me for a meeting, and after appreciating my style of objection, for flattering me, asked me to start raising objections against the Qadiani Jamaat in my newspaper, in a hurtful manner, as much as possible, because this Jamaat was out of [the pale of] deen.

“This happened when, in 1948, a part of the Holy Land was divided and handed over to the Zionist government and the Israeli state was established. And in my view, the above-mentioned activity of the embassy was, in fact, the practical reaction of the two tracts, which were published by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya during the same year when Palestine was divided.

“One tract was titled ‘Hay‘atul Umami al-Muttahidati wa Qararu Taqsimi Falastina’, in which those conspiracies of the Western colonial powers and Zionists were disclosed, in which it was planned to hand over the Palestinian ports to the Jews.

“The second tract was published as ‘Al-Kufru Millatun Wahidah’, in which the Muslims were advised to instil perfect unity.” (Akhbar Al-Anbaa‘ [Baghdad], 21 September 1954, with reference of Mujallah Al-Taqwa, September-October 1989)

So, from this reference alone, we can easily understand the impact of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’s masterpiece and how he created great worry among the ranks of the anti-Muslim powers.

Had the Muslim ummah acted on his advice and called for Islamic unity, Muslims would never be in a situation in which they find themselves now.

Lecture at the Law College Lahore

On 12 December 1948, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra delivered a lecture at 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). During the lecture, he stated that the Islamic world’s future is completely safe, provided the Muslims act upon those ways of success which the Holy Quran has prescribed for us.

Huzoor^ra advised the Islamic countries to dispel their internal enmities and to make trade relations with each other. He added that the Holy Quran has declared tabligh as the best way for Islam’s progress, so the Muslims should pay attention to this. (Al Fazl, 14 December 1948, p. 2)

‘My righteous servants shall inherit the land’

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra stated in his speech of 28 December 1954:

“In the past as well, [the Muslims] had temporarily lost the occupation [of Palestine] twice and have lost it now too. And when we say ‘temporarily’, it necessarily means that the Muslims will again go to Palestine and will rule it. It necessarily means that the Jews will again have to leave it and it necessarily means that Allah the Almighty will enable the Muslims to defeat this whole order which is being established with the help of the UNO and America, and once again let the Muslims settle here. […]

“So, I say ‘temporarily’ because there is a [Quranic] injunction ‘My righteous servants shall inherit the land’ [Ch.21: V. 106]. […] So, the ‘righteous servants’ of God Almighty, the people of Muhammad Rasulullah^sa, will surely go to this country [Palestine]. Neither can America’s atomic bombs and H-bombs do anything, nor can the help of Russia do anything. This is God’s decree, which will come to pass eventually, no matter how much power the world exerts.” (Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 25, pp. 80-81)

A heartfelt message to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad^rh, after being elected Khalifatul Masih IV on 10 June 1982, sent a heartfelt message to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, in which he urged everyone to pray for the Palestinian Muslims.

He stated that there was a wound in our hearts that was getting more terrifying, deeper and painful by the day, and that was a result of the inhumane atrocities being carried out by Israel against the Muslim world.

He said that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh felt this grief severely during the last few days of his life and upon the mention of these oppressions, he would become so grieved that one could see the pain in his eyes.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh instructed the Ahmadis:

“So, I call the attention of all Ahmadis – men, women, elders and children – that they should supplicate to Allah with great fervour, that He may have Mercy on everyone who is associated with our master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa.” (Al Fazl, 13 June 1982)

Then, during his Friday Sermon of 8 March 1985, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh stated:

“As far as Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya’s loyalty to the interest of Islam and the Palestinian Muslims is concerned, it is not a hidden fact or a matter of recent times. By the grace of Allah, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya had a deep connection with the Islamic interests of Palestine, even since the time when you [opponents of Ahmadiyyat] did not sense the gravity of the issue and did not even know the true circumstances of Palestine.

“Khulafa of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya cautioned the Muslims of Palestine from every danger, and kept them aware, and would present Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya for every possible help for them. 

“And these matters are continuing even prior to the partition [of the Indian subcontinent]; even the Ahrari newspapers had to accept these facts. They have uttered from their mouths and written with their pens that ‘the love showed by Qadian’s Mirza Mahmud Ahmad Sahib^[ra] for the people of Islam and the Islamic world, is found very less elsewhere.’

“There was a newspaper of the Ahrar, Zamzam, which was devoted to the opposition of the Jamaat […] wrote in its publication of 19 July 1942: ‘Under the current circumstances, the Khalifa Sahib has shown such righteous indignation for Islam with reference to Egypt and the Holy Land of the Hijaz that we are greatly indebted to him, and by expressing his concern, he has rightly represented the feelings of Muslims.’

“Now, look: if they ever found a spokesperson for the Muslims, he would be an Ahmadi. They considered the leader of Ahmadis to be the best spokesperson [of Islam].” (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 4, pp. 224-225)

Then, in his next Friday Sermon of 15 March 1985, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV^rh stated:

“Before the United Nations General Assembly made the oppressive decision to divide Palestine, who warned and cautioned the Muslim world, creating a commotion in the Arab and non-Arab countries alike? That passionate warning came from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra!” (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 4, p. 231)

Huzoor^rh continued by stating that Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad^ra wrote a heart-rendering pamphlet and had it circulated in abundance, in which he stated:

“I tell you that today, neither is America your friend, nor is Russia your friend. They have formed a mutual conspiracy against Islam. They have forgotten their own enmities due to the enmity of Islam and have united. Does the Islamic world have any sense of honour? Do they not possess the love for Islam that would allow them to forget their animosity towards each other and unite?”

Huzoor^rh added that when that decision of dividing Palestine was passed, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra wrote another article, describing the steps Muslims needed to take to help them in winning the lost battle again. (Ibid)

During his Friday Sermon of 11 January 1991, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh instructed Ahmadis to especially pray that Allah may guide the Muslim world. He stated that the Muslim countries should keep in mind the interests of the Muslim ummah as a whole, instead of only protecting their own interests. He added that if the Arab countries did not remove their internal differences, then there would be no peace in this territory and eventually, Israel would emerge as a bigger power than ever before, and no Arab Muslim power could ever think to act against Israel. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 10, pp. 32-33)

Advice to Muslims by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa

Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V^aa has also called the attention of the Muslim Ummah towards unity and regularly advised them that for removal of the ongoing miseries, Muslims must unite and face the opponents of Islam as a united front by forgetting all internal disputes.

During his Friday Sermon of 23 November 2012, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa said:

“[…] Israel’s attack on the Palestinians is due to the differences and disunity among the Muslims. There is no Islamic country where all moral values are not being violated due to the religious or political differences, or where horrific stories of oppression against each other are not being created. As a result, in one way or another, we are witnessing oppression [by the Muslims] against each other […] It is my desire that Muslims come to their senses and be united.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 10, p. 719)

Then, during his Friday Sermon of 25 July 2014, Huzoor^aa stated that the Muslim countries did not have unity and consensus. The governments were oppressing their peoples. Not only was there a lack of unity, but there was also widespread oppression.

Huzoor^aa added that the result of this lack of unity and consensus was that non-Muslims also had the courage to do whatever they wanted against the Muslims and that was why Israel was now brutally killing innocent Palestinians. If there was unity among Muslims, then there would have been no such oppression. (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 12, pp. 453-454)

Recently, during his Eid-ul-Fitr Sermon of 14 May 2021, Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V^aa instructed Ahmadis to pray especially for Palestinians who are suffering a great deal. He said:

“Today, we must sincerely pray for the Palestinian people who are currently being subjected to grave cruelties. In recent days, when they went to pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque, they were brutally attacked and beaten by the state authorities. Similarly, they are being forced out of Sheikh Jarrah, a small neighbourhood, which is their own land.

“Certainly, Muslim countries should come together and play their role to protect the Palestinians and other Muslims who are being oppressed in the world. However, the Muslim world is divided and there is a complete lack of unity amongst the Muslim nations. Certainly, in this instance, the Muslim countries have failed to show the reaction they ought to have. They have given weak statements, whereas if they had all come together and given a united statement, it would have had a far greater impact and carried much more weight.

“May Allah grant sense and wisdom to the Muslim leadership. May He also give sense to the Israelis that they may refrain and withdraw from their injustices. Further, may Allah guide the Palestinians who are suffering from a lack of leadership, if there is any injustice from their side – though in reality, this is not the case. If they (the Palestinians) are using sticks they are being subjected to heavy missiles and sophisticated weaponry, which is something I have mentioned before as well. There is no comparison in terms of the force being used by both sides. We must, therefore, pray for the Palestinians. May Allah the Almighty better their situation and create the means for their freedom and may they continue to hold on to their rightful places and land that were allotted to them in the initial treaty.”

So, the Muslim ummah needs to understand the dire need of unity so that they can better their situation. But for this, there is only one way and that is accepting the Imam of the age – the Promised Messiah^as – and his Khilafat.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih^aa is the leader who can lead the Muslim ummah towards betterment and victories. May Allah the Almighty guide the Muslim ummah. Amin.