Responding to Persecution & Oppression with Prayers & Compassion
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that in recent days, a Muslim cleric was saying on social media that if there is any disorder in the world, it is because of the ‘Qadianis’. He used this as a means to justify cruelties against Ahmadis and even killing them.
His Holiness (aba) said these are the tactics which they use and this has been the case since the inception of Ahmadiyyat. But it is by the grace of God that we have accepted the Imam of the Age who has taught that upon hearing their words and seeing their efforts against us, we must remain patient. It is such ‘Leaders of the Disbelievers’ who have misguided the general Muslim population who do not know any better, towards treating Ahmadis in a cruel manner. However, those clerics who are knowledgeable know that what they are saying is not based in truth; they merely wish to stir up disorder so that they may maintain their standing amongst people.
Our Duty is to Pray
His Holiness (aba) said that God knows better what their end will be; our only duty is to pray. His Holiness (aba) said that as he stated in his Eid sermon earlier, it is our duty to pray even for our opponents. This opposition is nothing new, rather it has been occurring since the time of the Promised Messiah (as). He was constantly attacked and so too were those who followed him. In fact they would worry that if people heard what the Promised Messiah (as) had to say, they would accept him. Hence, not only would they stop those who travelled to listen to him, rather they would even attack them. In response however, the Promised Messiah (as) would pray for such people.
His Holiness (aba) said that despite these efforts, people would still accept the Promised Messiah (as), and such is the case today. We will always continue to pray, and thus will we spread love in the world. Even despite listening to the harsh words said about us, we continue to pray for them. God Almighty informed the Promised Messiah (as) that their actions are due to a lack of understanding and their misguided love for the Holy Prophet (sa) – though misguided, they do claim to love him. Hence, God Almighty instructed the Promised Messiah (as) that he should not pray against them, but should rather pray for them.
Forbearance of the Promised Messiah (as)
His Holiness (aba) related an incident narrated by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) who said that once when he was young, the Promised Messiah (as) was in Lahore, and as he walked through the streets, people would stand on their rooftops and curse the Promised Messiah (as). He relates that he even saw an elderly man constantly repeating the same curses. On another occasion, someone attacked the Promised Messiah (as) from behind and it is even related that at times he would be pelted with stones. Hence these were the hardships which the Promised Messiah (as) would face. However, in a couplet revealed to the Promised Messiah (as), God said that though these people harmed him, they were doing so because they believed it to be out of their love for the Holy Prophet (sa), hence the Promised Messiah (as) should not pray against them but should pray for them.
His Holiness (aba) further quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) who said that if these opponents knew how much he loved the Holy Prophet (sa), they would rush towards Ahmadiyyat. The Promised Messiah (as) said that if such people oppose us, then it is due to their misunderstandings. Hence, we should pray for them, and enlighten them.
His Holiness (aba) said that we should pray for our opponents, for it is from them that people will eventually accept the Promised Messiah (as). Once, a companion of the Promised Messiah (as) heard the Promised Messiah (as) weeping profusely in prayer. He heard him praying to God that the plague had spread, and if all these people died because of it, then who would be left to accept God? This plague had been foretold by the Holy Prophet (sa) as a result of people’s disbelief and it was also foretold in prophecies vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah (as). Yet when the plague spread, the Promised Messiah (as) prayed for the very people due to which it manifested.
Saving People With Prayers
His Holiness (aba) said that hence, we cannot pray against such people, rather we must help save them by praying for them. Ahmadiyyat has been established for the very reason of saving Muslims. Hence, we have been tasked with helping people reach great heights, how then can we pray against them? We know that though there is a faction of our opponents which has simply been influenced by them, but then, there is another faction which has simply followed their lead. But once they realise how much Ahmadis love the Holy Prophet (sa), they themselves will attest that Ahmadis are those in the world who are upholding the honor of the Holy Prophet (sa). And we are seeing that those who had once been influenced by the opponents are now realising the truth and accepting Ahmadiyyat.
His Holiness (aba) said that there are many people who write letters to him saying that when they sincerely pondered and searched for the truth, they eventually saw the light and now wish to accept Ahmadiyyat. This has been the case since the time of the Promised Messiah (as) and with all the other Caliphs as well. Hence, when the opponents raise their voices and take actions against us, they are doing our work by spreading our message in ways which we may not have been able to.
His Holiness (aba) said that our responsibility is to pray and remain patient. This is the best course of action which will lead us to success. Our duty is to keep our thoughts and hearts free from any malice towards other Muslims. We must continue to pray that may Allah enable them to see the truth and may they accept the Imam of the Age.
