English translation of Inqilab-e-Haqiqi
An address by Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra, Khalifatul Masih II, al-Musleh al-Maud
Delivered at Jalsa Salana Qadian on 28 December 1937
Hostility against the establishment of civilisation
When God informed the angels that the establishment of a rule of law was imminent, they were taken aback. And they thought that under this new law, a murderer would be hailed as a paragon of virtue. A man who extorts taxes from people would be lauded as a pillar of honour, and were confused by this new philosophical outlook.
Perhaps, in the present times, one cannot fully comprehend the true significance of the question of the angels. But when the rule of law was first established, it would have been a source of great consternation for many. As I have already mentioned, even today there are people who are critical of certain aspects of the law. For example, [in our country] certain uncultured tribes fulminate against the government’s right to execute criminals. They argue that if one of their people is murdered, they should bear the responsibility of exacting his or her revenge – what right do the authorities have of interfering in their matters. These tribes are not satisfied until they avenge the killing themselves. This is typical of primitive ways of thought and due to a lack of learning, continues to be the attitude of certain people today.
To summarise, the Angels did not disapprove of the fact that violence and bloodshed would be precipitated by the birth of the progeny of Adamas. Rather they took a dim view, not only of the appointment of a ruler of men who would be responsible for such acts, but also that his deeds would be seen as just.
This was such an intellectual revolution that, considering the context of that time, it must have left minds bewildered, who would have found it extremely difficult to bear and come to terms with the idea that one person [from amongst them] could seize their wealth, against their accord, or even judiciously kill some of their members. They would most certainly have proffered the following argument: “When one of us kills another, the matter of retribution should lie with the relatives of the slain. It is an affair better left to the two parties. Who is this person to act as an intermediary between us?”
Currently, the more brutish segments of society are susceptible to such misconceptions, and it is they who foster internal turmoil within nations. The Belgians have, I believe, recently abolished capital punishment, most likely for the very reasons I detailed earlier. If the opponents of capital punishment were to confront me [on the issue], I would ask them that if they wish to abolish this form of punishment, why do they not also advocate the abolition of taxes. After all, what is tax if not the forceful appropriation of a person’s wealth or property?
In reality, this world-view testifies to the decline of European intellectual thought. And defective governance arises because of such immature ways of thinking. Currently, because ideas of civilisation have been firmly established, the idea of eradicating the rule of law holds little currency. Instead, those who think that a different government will better uphold their rights make strenuous efforts to affect change. Nevertheless, the state of uncultured tribes disapprove of government and the rule of law regardless of what form it takes, and are repulsed by it. Indeed, the interference and intervention of a third party in their internal affairs astonishes them. For example, if the government prohibits them from appearing naked in public, they argue that no one has the right to force them to wear clothes for they enjoy the breeze and the pleasure of being naked; [therefore, they say] they cannot accept anyone interfering in their individual affairs.
During the initial years of British dominance in the world, local Africans would attempt to enter the major cities in a state of nudity. The gates of these cities were often manned by government representatives. The officers would give the native Africans a type of loincloth to cover themselves before they were allowed to enter the city. Even though they obeyed, they would look around awkwardly hoping that their fellow countrymen would not see them in this state. If they happened to come across anyone they knew, they would both close their eyes and avoid each other from a sense of shame. Finally, when the time came to leave, they would throw the loincloth at the attending officers and hastily depart.
Even in today’s Europe, people have emerged, who wish to conduct their day-to-day lives in a state of nudity. Moreover, they advocate this lifestyle to others. On one occasion, a disturbance broke out when these people (who call themselves naturists) attempted to enter a major urban centre completely unclothed while police insisted that they cover themselves. The authorities were met with response as to what right they had to interfere with the [freedom and rights] of the individual. [They were told that] if they had to, they should avert their gaze and not look upon the naked individuals, they should not, however, compel them to wear clothes. The disturbance increased to the extent that police were forced to fire at the protesters. The enfeebled intellectual state of certain sections (of society) is further evidence of the decline of European culture. There are private clubs in Europe that do not under any circumstances issue memberships to those who wish to use their swimming facilities wearing any sort of swimwear. It is deemed uncivilised.
I once read a book by a doctor in which he wrote of how his daughter became a naturist. This displeased him and he became strict with her. Finally, she convinced him to attend a naturist society event so he could see for himself how civilised and cultured those whom he denigrated were. On his arrival, the doctor was shocked and filled with embarrassment by what he saw. However, he goes on to tell that when he saw an unbridled innocence in the faces of the members of the society. This caused him to revise his opinion and eventually he too undressed and joined in with them.
God established civilisation for the first time through Adamas and said that even if some amongst them wished to remain unclothed, they would not be allowed to do so. Adamas was responsible for introducing certain restrictions on individual liberties and made human beings subservient to the rule of law.
The benefits of civilisation
Such things may be scorned at and viewed as insignificant by you in this day and age. However, in my opinion, when Adamas first advanced this case [for civilisation] before people, a great deal of blood must have been shed and many nations would have opposed him. [Imagine] Adamas telling his people [for the first time] that they had to wear clothes; many tribes would have resisted him and taken up the cause of individual freedom. Therefore, God taught Adamas and his followers the benefits of living under a rule of law. God said: “Adamas! When your people criticise you and ask how the rule of law can benefit them, say that if they live under this sublime system they will not run the risk of ever going hungry, unclothed or thirsty nor will they suffer the pains of an unsheltered life caused by the oppressive heat of the sun.”
The responsibility of a religious government is to create the appropriate conditions for social welfare. Certain commentators have erroneously understood this verse to suggest that Adam was placed in [a paradise] where he was exempt from feeling hunger or thirst, although this is completely incorrect. Rather it [the verse] says that the obligations of an Islamic government should be to create employment opportunities for people, provide food for the unemployed and manage water [sources] and ponds and housing for all. Therefore, governments are responsible for providing four things: food, water, shelter and clothing, as indicated by the aforementioned words:
إِنَّ لَكَ اَلَّا تَجُوْعَ فِيْهَا وَلَا تَعْرٰى
وَاَنَّكَ لَا تَظْمَؤُا فِيْهَا وَلَا تَضْحٰى
[Ch.20: V.119-120] That is: “Adamas! If people should object, tell them that the first benefit of government is that no one will starve.” Hence, the very first obligation of a government is to provide food for even those who [are cut off from wider society and] reside in the wild. [Then Adamas is told to say:] ولَا تَعْرٰی “And no one will go naked, for the responsibility of providing clothing now rests with your rulers.” Moreover, the words لَا تَظْمَؤُا indicate that the government is responsible for providing water, and with وَلَاتَضْحٰی He says that the government is responsible for their housing. Any administration, which fulfils these four responsibilities, constitutes an exemplary, complete and peaceful government.
In this verse, God says that with the establishment of government, certain personal freedoms may have to be forfeited. However, giving these up in order to live under a rule of law is more beneficial for human beings. Without this concession, no long-term arrangement for the wide-scale distribution of food, water, shelter, clothing and lasting peace that is, the creation of a heavenly order, can be made. Therefore, [in the long term] conceding certain freedoms is better for people.
Therefore, until the time of Adamas, the human intellect had not fully developed and excluding one or two exceptions, sins were not yet fully conceived. [The people of Adamas] were given only basic instructions, sufficient for the needs of an administrative structure.
Nowhere in the Holy Quran is Adam referred to as presenting before his people, issues relating to religious law. The references to him only pertain to these four matters. Hence, Adamas was the founder of civilisation [and not of religious law]. Nevertheless, it was a revolutionary change for that time – indeed, a monumental revolution, as the present-day civilisation is the result of it.
The second age and the movement of Noahas
Adamas was followed by the next great age of religion. Over time, his followers prospered and accomplished many extraordinary works, thereby facilitating the progress of human civilisation. The abhorrence human beings once felt for the rule of law slowly eroded and they became accustomed to sacrificing certain individual freedoms for the greater good (of society).
This [cultural advancement] eventually led to a spirit of competition. Some individuals showed themselves to be highly intelligent while others possessed lower intellectual capabilities. Some were successful in their industry and endeavours and others less so. The exceptional abilities of some allowed them to forge ahead while the less capable were left behind.
Of course, differences in the strengths and capabilities of people have always existed. However, they are only truly manifested with the onset of civilisation. The more progressive and refined a civilisation is, the more pronounced these differences appear. If two people of varying capabilities are placed within a primitive civilisation, their differences will be apparent, but not as stark as they would be in a more advanced civilisation.
In more cultivated societies, the gap [between the accomplished and less capable] sometimes grows so wide that the most able people are seen as belonging to another species altogether. This is exactly what came to pass when the age of Adamas drew to a close. Ordinary people began to perceive [the more successful among them] as possessing some sort of special powers. Because knowledge related to psychology didn’t exist and due to a general lack of learning, it was accepted that the make-up of all people was the same.
Therefore, anyone who was exceptionally skilled or capable was considered to possess a higher supernatural power beyond their basic human qualities. In this way, the first notion of idolatry arose among them, and they began to consider some of their own as possessing divine powers.
The spread of sin
They [people of Adamas] began to view [some among them, particularly] those who were highly capable, judicious, intelligent, and scholarly, as more than human; to be gods. If such a person were a mere mortal like them, their capabilities would not have exceeded their own. And so, the seeds of idolatry were sown. With the progression of human thought came not only the concept of such false worship, but also an increase in those sins that are a natural consequence of civilisation and culture. In response to this, God sent Prophet Noahas.
(To be continued…)