Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at and the Muslims of India

After reciting tashahhud, ta‘awwudh, and surah al-Fatihah, Huzoor (rta) recited the following verses of the Holy Quran:

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Huzoor (rta) said:

A Quranic Warning

The verses I have just recited are among the last verses of surah Ibrahim. Since there would not be enough time to go into a detailed commentary of these verses in this sermon, I shall present only the translation. Although the name of the Holy Prophet (sas) is not mentioned in these verses, it is he who is being addressed here. Allah the Exalted says: (O, Muhammad!) Warn people of the chastisement of that day (or of the day when chastisement will come upon them). On that day the wrongdoers will say: Our Lord, grant us respite for a short term, and then:

We will respond to Thy call and will follow the Messengers. [Then the Lord will reply]:

Did you not swear before this that you would have no fall? In these verses, the words:

‘We will follow the Messengers’ are worthy of special notice. There is not enough time to elaborate, but in this verse these words are strongly connected to another prophecy made in the Holy Quran where it is said:

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‘A time is about to come when the Messengers are made to appear at the appointed time—’. The commentators of the Holy Quran say that this is a reference to the Day of Judgment, but the words in this dialogue clearly indicate that the wrongdoers will seek respite from chastisement in this world. They will say that if they are granted respite, they would seek [Allah’s] forgiveness and follow the Messengers. In this context, we should also remember the revelation of the Promised Messiah (as) in which Allah addressed him saying:

Champion of Allah in the garment of all the Prophets.

Then, Allah the Almighty says:

And you dwell in the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it has become plain to you how We dealt with them; and We have set forth clear parables for you, but alas [you derived no benefit].

And they employed whatever deceit they could but Allah is well aware of their deceit and possesses the responses to all their deceit, even if they believe that their deceit is powerful enough to move mountains.

Think not then that Allah will fail to keep His promise to His Messengers and is not true to His promise. Surely, Allah is Mighty, Lord of retribution.

The day when this earth will be transformed into another earth and the heaven will also be transformed,

and they will all appear before Allah, the One, the Most Supreme. On that day thou shalt see the guilty on that day bound in chains.

There is a revelation of the Promised Messiah (as) in very similar words as used here. A part of that longer revelation is:

The Promised Messiah (as) has explained the meaning of this phrase that ‘the thoughts and opinions of the people of the earth shall be changed’. The Holy Quran continues:

Their garments shall be of pitch, and the darkness shall envelop their faces. It will be so that Allah may requite each soul for what it has wrought. Surely, Allah is swift at reckoning. This is a message manifestly delivered for the benefit of mankind that they may be warned thereby, so that they may know that He is the only One God, and that those possessed of understanding may ponder.

As I said earlier, there is not enough time to give a detailed discourse, but today’s sermon shall in fact be a commentary on some aspects of these verses. Those with intelligence will not find it difficult to understand the relationship. Those with spiritual insight will discover that these verses are closely related to the subject matter at hand.

Ahmadis Were in the Front Line to Offer Outstanding Sacrifices

In this series of sermons, I have said that the government of Pakistan in its White Paper has depicted the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at as a traitor to Islam and to Muslim countries.

As far as the history of Indian Muslims goes, it is divided into two parts: One is before the establishment of Pakistan and the other is after. I have narrated a few of the important events that took place before the establishment of Pakistan in my last sermon. Today, I have selected some more events.

The fact of the matter is that whenever Muslims of the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent faced a crisis or whenever their religious feelings were injured, with the special grace of Allah, it was the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at that always stood at the forefront in making sacrifices to help remove the afflictions of those Muslims. Many times it was the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at which took on the initiatives to start the struggle against the perpetrators of mischief, for it was Ahmadis that carried the banner of this jihad against the enemies of Muslims. No doubt, there also were other noble spirited Muslims who joined in the struggle and cooperated with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at, but, by the grace of God, most of the great campaigns to truly serve Muslim causes in the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent were led by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at.

From among those years when Muslim religious sentiments were greatly hurt, the year 1927 is specifically important to mention. In that year, the notorious and universally disreputable book Rangila Rasul (The Licentious Messenger) was published. In that book, most foul and wicked attacks were made on the person and character of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas). Reading it makes the blood of every Muslim boil. The shock caused by this book had not yet subsided and the protests and legal action against Rajpal, its Hindu author, were still under way when another filthy article appeared in an Arya magazine Vartman. A Hindu woman wrote such a heinous article against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) that no one with any sense of decency can read it. Even non-Muslims were shocked and appalled about what sort of evil person could write such loathsome words against the founder of a religion. No good-natured person would use such dirty language against the founder of even an ordinary religion; yet such filth was being thrown upon the holiest of the holy, the most immaculate of all mankind, leader of all religious masters, for whose sake the entire universe was created. He who was not only pure himself, but also purified others; and through whose grace and blessings all other Prophets were recognised as pure and holy.

On occasions like this, who led the protest movement against such evil attacks? Were they Muslim scholars belonging to the Congress Party? Were they the scholars of Maududi brand? Or was it the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at that wholeheartedly participated and indeed took the lead in this extraordinary struggle against these vicious enemies? By the mercy and grace of Allah, this honour was bestowed upon only the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at.

Lest the narration gets lengthy, I have selected only one brief passage quoting a Muslim newspaper of India, and later on I will present extracts taken from two Hindu newspapers. Through these extracts, it will become very clear that in those extremely arduous and excruciating circumstances in the world of Islam, the Community that felt the greatest pain in its heart, and the Community whose leaders made extraordinary assaults against the enemies of Islam in order to repel the evil [was only the Community of the Promised Messiah (as)].

Favours of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at Upon the Muslims

The newspaper Mashriq of Ghorakhpur in its 23 September, 1927 issue states:

The favours of the respected Imam of Jama‘at-e-Ahmadiyya are upon all Muslims …

The unappreciative people of today may wish to forget this, but the newspaper Mashriq wrote that favours were indeed bestowed upon Muslims. Those who may wish to disagree may exclude themselves from being Muslims if they like, but the fact remains that the favours done to the Muslims will be remembered until Doomsday. The newspaper continues:

… On his initiative a legal case was made against Vartman. His Jama‘at pushed forward the case against Rangila Rasul and offered ultimate sacrifices, not afraid of being imprisoned. His written pamphlet inclined the Governor to be fair and to do justice. Despite his pamphlet being confiscated, the Governor did not allow its effects to be diminished. The Governor made it clear in writing that the poster was confiscated only to avoid further agitation. Nevertheless, the Governor redressed the situation through a decision which was very fair and just. At the time, all other sects of Muslims in India were afraid of the British or Hindus or other nations. Like the Muslims of the earliest era, it is only Jama‘at-e-Ahmadiyya that is not afraid of any individual or organisation. It is rendering a purely Islamic service.

This is how the newspapers used to write in the past. They were noble in character and acknowledged the facts. They were fair-minded and did not believe in perverting the facts. They had the courage to tell the truth, and they did, indeed, express the truth. This is what Muslim newspapers wrote. According to the Hindu newspapers too, it was the Ahmadis who were the strongest in making a forceful response. Now listen to the voice of those who were in the opposite camp. As the Ahrar are doing presently, those Hindus were trying to take advantage of a similar situation. In those days, the Hindus were trying their best to pitch the Muslims against Ahmadis and they were telling them that Ahmadis were not Muslims. In other words, in those days the task of the present day Ahrar was done by the Arya Samajists. They would say to the Muslims: ‘O, fools! Ahmadis are not Muslims! Why are you following them? Why do you care for the honour of your Prophet (sas) by trailing behind the Ahmadis? If they want to die, let them perish! What relation do you have (God forbid) with that Messenger (sas) for whose sake the Ahmadis are ready to sacrifice everything, even their lives?’

Now, listen to the words of that [Hindu] newspaper:

The differences between Mirza’is (or Ahmadis) and other Muslims are so great that the Mirza’is consider the Muslims as non-believers, and the Muslims think that Mirza’is are non-believers! Only yesterday, a Muslim asked for a verdict about Mirza’is from Maulavi Kifayatullah, President Jami‘at-ul-‘Ulema’ of Delhi. His edict is published in al-Jam‘iyyah, the publication of Jami‘at-ul-‘Ulema’, where Maulana Kifayatullah has declared the Mirza’is to be non-believers and associating with them to be sinful!

Here, these Hindus who were guilty of contempt of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) tried to incite the Muslims against the Ahmadis, and tried to send out the message that Hindus and Muslims were brothers. They were inciting Muslims against the Ahmadis who maintained the honour for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas). In the same manner, a voice is being raised today that we are brothers. Today some foolish Muslims are raising this voice, while earlier the clever Aryas were doing it to create disorder. The [Hindu] newspaper wrote that Maulana Kifayatullah had an edict against Ahmadis. The Muslims did not know about it, but the Hindus were informing them that Muslims were forbidden to associate with Ahmadis. The newspaper continued:

Look at the trickery, intelligence and good fortune of the Mirza’is! The Mirza’is have become the leaders of those who call them non-believers! Presently, all Muslims of India are expressing a lot of superficial excitement on the imprisonment of the editor and publisher of the notorious newspaper the Muslim Outlook, Lahore. And they are very anxious to follow the Muslim Outlook. We were astonished on finding out that the editor of the Muslim Outlook, Mr. Dilawar Shah Bukhari, was an Ahmadi [who had forcefully responded the Vartman article]. When he received the court order from the High Court, he went to the Mirza of Qadian to seek his advice on how to defend himself or what line of action to take. The Mirza advised him it would be better to go to prison than to offer an apology. [If he was to be imprisoned upholding the honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas), he should not hesitate at all … ]3

And, in fact, that is what took place. He was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment and he happily accepted that punishment. That is why the Hindus were saying that he went to the Mirza of Qadian and he advised him so.

… In short, it is an Ahmadi campaign in every respect.4

Where are the [real] historians of Pakistan? Those who are there currently are busy distorting the entire history of Islam, for the history of Pakistan which they are writing is hard to recognise! The opponents, who were being challenged and knocked down by Ahmadis, were admitting that the campaign that Ahmadis started in the honour and love of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) was ‘an Ahmadi campaign in every respect’. Similarly, Partap and other newspapers wrote articles openly confessing that the real threat and fear they had was from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at.

Selfless Services to the Muslims of Kashmir

The second most painful and agonising situation for Indian Muslims originated in Kashmir. It was a great threat to Muslim political unity and survival. The Dogra Maharaja of Kashmir started to curb all the human rights of Muslims. Wherever there was a Hindu majority, he would start depriving Muslims of all their rights. This caused a great wave of unrest amongst the Muslims. From the North to the South, Muslim intelligentsia in India were compelled to ponder on how to deal with the situation. The great thinkers and political leaders started fixing their hopes on Qadian. They wrote letters and dispatched messengers asking Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) to take responsibility in this matter; otherwise, there was no hope for success. Among them was Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal. His name is now being placed at the top of the list of Muslim leaders who have opposed Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at, yet he wrote to Sheikh Yusuf ‘Ali, the Private Secretary of Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra), on September 5th, 1930.

I am presenting to you the original letter written by Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal in his own handwriting. In the past, the non-Ahmadi ulema had told Muslims in general that our references were not reliable as they were reproduced from our Ahmadi newspapers, but this letter bears the signature of Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal. He writes:

As your Community is well disciplined with many capable persons, you will be able to perform many useful deeds for the Muslims.

As far as the matter of the Board is concerned, this is a very useful idea. I am ready for its membership. To be its President, some capable person younger than me will be more appropriate. But if the purpose of this Board is just to send delegations to the authorities then I may kindly be excused. The delegations fail to get any results. Moreover, I do not have much energy left and I am not fit anymore. Anyhow, if you wish to write my name down as a member, please let me have the list of all members appointed previously.

In response to this letter, and many other letters written by Muslim ulema and political leaders, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) proposed to call a conference. This conference met in Simla in 1931 at the house of Nawab Sir Zulfiqar ‘Ali. I shall read out the names of some of the eminent leaders who participated in this conference: Shams-ul-‘ulama Khawaja Hasan Nizami, Sir Mian Fazal Hussain, Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal, Sir Zulfiqar ‘Ali, Nawab Sahib Kunjpura, Khan Bahadur Sheikh Rahim Bakhsh, Syed Muhammad Mohsin Shah (Advocate), Maulavi Muhammad Isma‘il Ghazanvi (Amratsari), Maulavi Nur-ul-Haq (owner of Muslim Outlook), Syed Habib Sahib (editor, Siyasat), and others. Other than these, Maulavi Mirak Shah (formerly professor Deoband) participated as a representative of Kashmir, and Allah Rakha Saghir as representative of Jammu.

At the end of the conference, Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal proposed the name of Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) [as president], and said:

I submit this proposal because if the intent is to see the Kashmir Movement as a success, then no one is more capable than the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad.

On hearing this, voices arose from all directions in its support, and Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) was unanimously elected as the President of this Conference. Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal said:

Hazrat Sahib! If you do not accept this task as its President, it will not succeed!5

It is a long story about how Ahmadis rendered outstanding services for the protection of Indian Muslim causes. Kashmir fully remembers all those services. From the [Ahmadiyya] Jama‘at, eminent scholars as well as illiterate folks, rich and poor alike, all used to go to Kashmir at their own expense to serve the Muslim cause most earnestly, and it never became a burden to them. They used to distribute literature and were victimised most severely under the tyrannical rule of the Rajah of that time, and were even imprisoned. To help their Muslim brothers who were penalised, groups of attorneys used to go to plead their cases. It is a very long story and many volumes covering hundreds of pages have been written on this subject. It is impossible to write the history of Kashmir without mentioning the glorious Ahmadiyya services. At present, just to refresh your memory, I submit some extracts from the writings of Muslim newspapers and magazines. Maulana Syed Habib Sahib, editor of the newspaper Sayasat, in his book Tahrik-e-Qadian [The Qadian Movement] writes:

To help the oppressed people of Kashmir, only two organisations came forward …

The very title of Syed Habib’s book tells that it is written by an opponent of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at. Yet, in those days even the opponents had some fear of God in their hearts and they would feel compelled to accept the truth. The writer is trying to explain why these people joined with the Ahmadis and participated in a campaign which was being led by Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad (ra).

The writer says:

To help the oppressed people of Kashmir, only two organisations came forward … One was Kashmir Committee and the other was Ahrar. No one made a third organisation, nor could it come into existence! There was no trust regarding the Ahrar for everyone knew the fact that the Ahrar misappropriated and consumed the money they collected in the cause of helping the orphans, widows and oppressed people of Kashmir …

[These are the same Ahrar who are now being imposed upon Pakistan!] The passage continues:

… There was not a single leader among them [the Ahrar] who was not involved in this crime directly or indirectly! The Kashmir Committee invited them to join hands and work together with them, but on one condition—that the work would be done with majority vote and the accounts would be properly maintained! The Ahrar refused to accept both principles! Therefore, I had no other option but to work with the Kashmir Committee, and I say it loud and clear that the President of the Kashmir Committee, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, worked most diligently, industriously, courageously and enthusiastically and he spent his own money, too. And for these reasons I do respect him very much.6

Maulana ‘Abdul Majid Salik, editor Inqilab, writes in his book Sar Guzasht:

When the Ahrar unnecessarily started agitation against Ahmadis and created hurdles in the momentum gained by the Kashmir Movement through the unity among diversified forces, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad resigned from the Presidency of the Kashmir Committee. Then Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal was appointed as its President. Some members and workers had started to oppose the Ahmadis only because they were Ahmadis! This situation was extremely detrimental to achieve the Kashmir objectives.7

Now, listen to the Hindu press. What Muslim Jama‘at were the Hindus afraid of? According to them, who had taken action most enthusiastically for the Muslims of Kashmir?

Concerning this matter, the Newspaper Milap wrote on page 5 of its October 1, 1931 issue:

Mirza Qadiani has established the All-India Kashmir Committee to put an end to the present government of Kashmir. For this, he made propaganda in every village and town, gave money to the people, sent lawyers to help them, dispatched preachers to create agitation, and conspired with high officials in Simla.

I ask the leaders of Pakistan to fear God in declaring this Jama‘at as a conspirator against the Muslims. The non-Muslims have always alleged that this Jama‘at has conspired to work in favour of the Muslims! If, in the Quranic terms, this Jama‘at ‘gives ear’ to anything, it is always for your betterment and never to hurt you.

Talking about Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra), the Newspaper Milap writes on p. 5 of its September 30, 1931 issue:

In Kashmir, the Qadiani lit the fire of mischief; the preachers started roaming in every street; small tracts were published in Urdu as well as in Kashmiri languages, and thousands were distributed free of any charge. In addition, money was also distributed.

Exemplary Services of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at in the Creation of Pakistan

In the history of the Indian sub-continent the most crucial time for Muslims was the era just before Pakistan was established. At that time the fiercest battle for Muslim survival was being fought. The Muslims were in a life and death struggle. They were in need of a sanctuary where they could feel secure from the oppressions of opposing forces—where they would not fear for their religion, politics and economy. To find such a sanctuary, various Muslim thinkers thought of some ideologies; they had some dreams and drew some sketches at different times. Slowly, the map of Pakistan started to emerge as one voice for the entire Muslim nation. At that most important time, what was the role of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at—the same Jama‘at about whom it is alleged that it cannot tolerate the existence of Muslim countries, not to mention give help in creating one? Let us find out what the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at was doing at that time, as well as the roles of those organisations that are now being imposed upon Pakistan. For this, I am going to present some extracts from non-Ahmadi newspapers in order to show what the reality of the situation was. At least [in this way] the Muslims of Pakistan and the world can see who the actual culprits and the real oppressors were; and who were the ones that had sincere sympathy, true love, and a willingness to sacrifice lives and money for the sake of the Muslims.

Syed Rais Ahmad Ja‘fari, in his book entitled Hayat-e-Muhammad ‘Ali Jinnah (published in 1946) writes in the chapter entitled ‘Ashab-e-Qadian aur Pakistan’:

Now the attitude and conduct of another large sect belonging to Qadian are submitted… Both the organisations that belong to Qadian acknowledge and appreciate fully the pivotal position of the Muslim League, significance of Pakistan, and political leadership of Mr. Jinnah.

The history of the extraordinary problems that the Muslims had to face during their struggle at that time is extremely painful. In the East Punjab, Muslims were brutally slaughtered. To cover all the details of their bloodbath would be impossible and unbearably agonising! But it needs to be known among the sects of Muslims, at the time of the active jihad, what the roles were of the Ahrar, Jama‘at-e-Islami, and Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at. That was not the time for merely jihad through preaching—it had become the time for physical jihad, as the time of jihad with the sword had also arrived. The honour and chastity of Muslim women was being heinously attacked, and children too were being killed ruthlessly. In short, it is rather impossible to narrate the savagery and brutality that the Muslim caravans suffered. Anyhow, most Muslims are generally well aware of the history at that time, but it is worth mentioning who was in the forefront when the time of physical jihad in action arrived.

Ihsan, a newspaper of the Ahrar (which is closed down now) in its edition of September 25, 1947 reported:

Despite the Military’s cruelty and violence against them, the young men of Qadian are not afraid. They are anxious to safely get the women, children and the elderly out of the location. They know very well that death is slowly but assuredly entrapping them. The Nehru government, which claims that the Muslims will not be compelled to evacuate the East Punjab, is fully determined to forcefully reject and destroy the Muslims of Qadian …

And now it is being said that the Ahmadis are agents of India. The article continues:

… the young men who work in the Security Department remain on duty for twenty-four hours and they stay on guard day and night…

I too was among them. I remember that sometimes we could not sleep for forty-eight hours. Such was the situation. Moreover, the khuddam were less in number and the workload was tremendous. At times, even if we slept for only a couple of minutes, we felt as if we were committing a sin. It so bothered us to go to sleep. These were the feelings of the young Ahmadi men at the time. It was not only the security of Qadian, but all other Muslim villages in the suburbs of Qadian that needed protection. The volunteers used to go from around Qadian for the security of Muslim villages and to fight in their defence.

The newspaper further reported:

… Due to sleeplessness and fatigue, their health has deteriorated, yet they are ready to face death, not being afraid of it [death]. There is no Muslim military on duty. The Hindu military and the Sikh police try to scare them; to terrorise them, the Hindu Captain makes rounds with a drawn pistol in his hand …

The same newspaper in its October 2, 1947 publication printed the letter of a non-Ahmadi who had taken refuge in Qadian. He wrote:

There is no time to write down long stories … At this moment we are more or less fifty thousand persons who have taken shelter in Qadian. We are getting food for our survival from the Ahmadis. Some have also given us houses to live in. But this small town does not have enough capacity and thousands are in the open, laying on the ground. They have to bear the heat of the sun, and they get drenched in the rain.8

In addition to that, the government of Pakistan published a book entitled Karvan-e-Sakht Jan. It contains the history of partition of the country. This book published by the Defence Department of Pakistan writes about Qadian:

In addition to its good reputation for manufacturing and trade, this place is famous as the Centre of Jama‘at-e-Ahmadiyya. In all its suburbs is the Sikh population. Thus, in the days of disturbances, the Muslims came to Qadian Sharif from as far a distance as twenty miles...

Till yesterday, it was ‘Qadian Sharif ’ [the Holy city of Qadian]. And today you [non-Ahmadis] are trying to call Rabwah the worst town in the world (we seek Allah protection from this!). You say that like the Jews have Israel, Rabwah is Mirza’il (we seek Allah’s protection from this!).

In the past, your tongues were speaking the truth. You were calling it ‘Qadian Sharif ’ instead of just saying ‘Qadian’, indicating that all those who lived there were dear to God; that those who had developed that town were God’s beloved ones; those who lived there had the love of Islam in their hearts. As long as these memories will remain affiliated with that town, the noble of heart will always call it ‘Qadian Sharif.’ We must appreciate the nobility of the then government of Pakistan that it did not care about these Ahrar mullahs while making a true statement. The book [Karvan-e-Sakht Jan] goes on to say:

… the number increased to seventy thousand …

I remember that those refugees were fed regularly. In those critical times, realising the danger that was fast approaching, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) had thoughtfully stored more wheat than was usually required for the Annual Gathering (Jalsah Salanah). Thus, by the Grace of God, not a single Muslim died because of starvation. So much so that expensive wedding garments were distributed among the needy. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih III (rta), may Allah bless his soul, took the initiative by distributing his wife’s expensive dresses. His noble wife belonged to the Nawab family of Maler Kotla, and some of her dresses were heirlooms so expensive that she herself would not use them lest they be damaged. Yet, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih III (rta) was the first to start opening boxes of clothes out of his home in front of all. In no time, those clothes were distributed among the poor who would have never even dreamed of having such expensive clothes. Those who received them were almost all non-Ahmadi Muslims. After that, others followed and every box in each room of all the houses was opened. Whatever was there, it was distributed among the needy and destitute Muslim brothers. Towards the end, when I left Qadian, I had a brown sack and had only one pair of clothes in it. It was not because we could not carry more with us, it was because there was nothing left in our houses. All our possessions had been distributed.

The book [Karvan-e-Sakht Jan] goes on:

… as the barbaric and hard-hearted Sikhs had made these refugees destitute by plundering all their possessions, it was the residents of Qadian who firmly resolved to help those poor people. Obviously, it is not an ordinary task to arrange food and lodging for such a great number, particularly in these days when the prices of necessities had soared. Thus, these illiterate guests depended upon the help from Qadian, which was provided to them till the time the Government stopped them from doing so.9

In its October 3, 1947 issue, the Newspaper Zamindar reported:

In District Gurdaspur, Muslims are under siege at many places, but there are three major camps. The condition of refugees in Batala is very bad …

They used to call it ‘Batala Sharif ’, but then as the condition of the Muslims was miserable at the time of a real test, they could not call it ‘Sharif’ anymore.

The newspaper went on to say:

… There is no place to take shelter; and there is no food left. The Hindu soldiers have created havoc. They used to rob the refugees of just their jewelry and possessions, but now they are raping the women. The second camp is at Siri Gubund Pura. The situation over there is no less dangerous than that of Batala. The third camp is in Qadian. Without any doubt, the Mirza’is have served the Muslims in a commendable manner.

In another issue the Newspaper Zamindar wrote:

At this time, thousands of refugees are being fed at the homes of Ahmadis. The Muslims of Qadian have not requested for rations. And the Government (which consists of a few Sikh policemen and a police officer) is plundering the granary, and thus trying to kill the residents and the refugees by starvation. Can a worse tyranny be committed against any people?10

Regrettable Conduct of Some So-called Muslims

Yes, I say, a worse tyranny can be committed. It is a fact that if an outsider commits cruelty, one feels it, but not to the extent that one feels when the tyranny is being committed by one’s own people. When the hands that are expected to help and the tongues that are expected to give comfort are used against their own people, then it hurts far deeper than the wounds inflicted by an enemy. I want to tell the Newspaper Zamindar’s contributing writer that they were the people who caused that kind of hurt. The pain inflicted upon the Muslims by Majlis-e-Ahrar and Jama‘at-e-Islami was far more hurtful than that given by the Hindus or the Sikhs. If they have forgotten, then let me refresh their memory by presenting a few statements of non-Ahmadi Muslims concerning Jama‘at-e-Islami. But before I do that, let me first present a statement made by Maulavi Maududi himself. In the most crucial phase of the Pakistan Movement, at a time when the Muslims were going through the most terrible time facing a situation of life or death, this was the time Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at was fully engaged in offering sacrifices. But what was Maududi Sahib’s opinion concerning the Movement that was struggling for Pakistan? What was his fatwa?

Maulana Maududi writes:

I cannot be happy if ‘Abdullah [meaning the Muslims] assumes the position of God’s sovereignty instead of Ram Das [meaning the Hindus] as it is not Islam. It is purely nationalism. Such ‘Muslim Nationalism’ is just as despicable according to the Law of God as is ‘Hindu Nationalislm’.11

Look at how it is being contrived that the Muslims become slaves of the [Hindu] Congress. It is being suggested that all Muslims should make an all out effort to help Nationalism of the Congress, but Muslim Nationalism is accursed, and no one should go near it. Further, he [Maududi] says:

We do not have any national battle with the Hindus, nor with the British on the basis of nationalism …

This is the fatwa of those who give fatawa against Ahmadis on jihad.

Maududi goes on to write:

… Neither do we have any relationship with those states where the so-called Muslims have arrogated Godhead to themselves …

There was no relationship with those states as long as the gasoline oil was not discovered. But now, after the oil connection, what can they do—these helpless people? This is similar to the story that Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih I (ra) used to tell. Once a mullah performed the marriage of a woman who was already married, to another man. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih (ra) had great respect for that mullah as he had a reputation of being pious. Therefore, he was reluctant to believe that he could have really done that. People told him that it was a fact. He called for the mullah and said, ‘Maulana Sahib, I feel hesitant in asking this question. I find it hard to believe that you performed a marriage of an already married woman, but that is what I am being told’. The mullah replied, ‘You are just accusing me for nothing. First you must listen to my side of the story’. Hazrat Sahib agreed and asked him to tell him what happened. He said: ‘I also believe that a woman cannot have two husbands’. Then he said in Punjabi: ‘But I became helpless. What could I do when the second man put a rupee equal in size to a sparrow on my hand?’ In other words, in principle it was correct that a married woman’s second marriage could not be legally conducted, but when the other party puts some money in mullah’s hand then he becomes helpless! Now this is the same attitude of Jama‘at-e-Islami. It had no relationship with the Muslim states in the recent past, where in their estimation the Muslims were pretending to be God. But now, after the discovery of oil in those states, they have become helpless. For them, the matter of religion is different from the matter of wealth. Seemingly, when the wealth appears, the poor maulavi becomes helpless.

Then, Maulavi Maududi says:

… Neither do we need any protection as a minority, (what strange concepts these Mujahidin-e-Islam have) nor do we need national rule on the basis of majority … Whatever the loss, let it be! As taught by our Lord Jesus if they want to take away your tunic, let them have your cloak also.12

O, oppressor! At that time, why could you not remember the teaching of our lord, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (sas) that whoever is killed while protecting life, property and honour, is a martyr? Why did you not think that if the honour and chastity of the Muslims was in danger at that time, then the honorable name of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (sas) was also in danger? At that time, the very existence of the Muslim nation was at stake and lives were at risk. At that time you could not remember any of the sayings of our Lord Muhammad Mustafa (sas)? The only saying you could think of was that of your Lord Jesus who said to give away your cloak to the one who wants your tunic. And now you blame us that we are against jihad!

Again, Maududi says:

It is a wrong expectation to think that God’s rule shall be established if the areas with the Muslim majority are free from the Hindu majority rule, and a democratic system is established. In fact, whatever shall be established in consequence thereof shall be an infidel rule of the Muslims …

Today, it is said that the Law of God is being established by the same government that was considered to be held under an ‘infidel rule of the Muslims’. Maududi goes on to say:

… To call it Divine Rule is an insult to this pure name.13

The founder and editor of Nawa-e-Waqt, Mr. Hamid Nazami spoke the truth about Jama‘at-e-Islami and very emphatically expressed his thoughts:

We accuse Maulana Maududi that his animosity towards Qa’id-e-A‘zam and the Pakistan Movement is the same even today. We accuse that Maulana’s movement is not at all an Islamic or religious movement. He is like Hasan Bin Sabah, and under the political pretext his intent is to grab political power, and not to bring eminence to the religion (of Islam).14

While these facts are evident through his own writings, there remains no scope to refute these allegations. There is ample additional evidence to prove these accusations to be correct. To ponder over the question as to who is the friend of Pakistan and who is its enemy, one has to see the Munir Report. The government of Pakistan established a Commission to investigate the Anti-Ahmadiyya Disturbances of 1953. The commission comprised of two members, Justice Munir and Justice Kiyani. Both were eminent legal authorities. In their report, on p. 243, they wrote about Jama‘at-e-Islami:

The Jama’at was, therefore, professedly opposed to the Muslim League’s conception of Pakistan, and since the establishment of Pakistan, which it described as Na Pakistan [Land of Impure], has been opposed to the present system of Government and those who are running it. In none of the writings of the Jama‘at produced before us is there to be found the remotest reference in support of the demand for Pakistan …

Jama‘at-e-Islami has made some statements in the past, and even currently has published its claims in some Pakistani newspapers that in reality it was not opposed to the creation of Pakistan. All such documents were submitted by Jama‘at-e-Islami to the Enquiry Commission, but the Enquiry Report states:

In none of the writings of the Jama’at produced before us there is to be found the remotest reference in support of the demand for Pakistan, and on the contrary, these writings, which contain several possible hypotheses, are all opposed to the form in which Pakistan came into being and at present exists.15

This was the role of Jama‘at-e-Islami, which is the biggest enemy of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at. Second to this is Majlis-e-Ahrar, which has been imposed upon our unfortunate Government. What was the role of Ahrar at the time when this Muslim State [Pakistan] was being created? What were the ulema of Ahrar saying at the time when the Muslims were engaged in a national struggle against the Hindus and a fierce battle was being fought for the survival of the Muslims? I present a few sample extracts. Amir-e-Shariyyah, ‘Ata ’Ullah Shah Bukhari writes:

You are afraid of the Hindus as if they will eat us up. [There is no need to be afraid, nor is there a need for a separate country.] Listen! How can one who cannot eat a chicken leg, eat you up? The Hindus must be scared, as they are weaker than you. They are only in six provinces and you are on all sides of the border. If Bha’i Parmanund expresses fear, then he would be justified.16

Again, he says:

Subhanallah! [All glory to Allah] They say that Hindus will eat us up. A Muslim eats up a full camel, a whole buffalo! How can the Hindu who cannot eat a sparrow, eat him up?17

This is their jihad! They are like great warriors that eat up buffaloes and camels, but when the other nations come in reality to eat them up, then their jihad vanishes. At that time it is only the young men and the mujahidin of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at that come forward to defend them by sacrificing their own lives and possessions. It has happened repeatedly, and you will not see any Ahrari or any member of Jama‘at-e-Islami anywhere in the battlefields of jihad. How many of them are serving in Palestine? How many have taken part in the Kashmir Movement? How many fought in the subsequent wars in Kashmir? Let them show a single place where they have taken part, even if it be standing in the last row on the battlegrounds when Muslims or Islam was under a real threat.

Today everyone is reciting Iqbal’s name as the founder of Pakistan and his conception is being deemed as a ‘revelation’. But in the past the same Ahraris used to say:

Without any doubt the conception of Pakistan is a ‘political revelation’; it is not a Divine revelation. It is a revelation inspired by Buckingham Palace. And Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal received this revelation at the time….when he had freshly returned from London.18

Who sends a ‘revelation’ and what is its nature? This secret is fully known to the Ahraris. Whether that revelation descended from Allah or it was revealed in the Buckingham Palace, they have their guards on duty at both places and they got the news immediately! Thus, the same revelation they now claim was revealed in the heart of Dr. Sir ‘Allamah Muhammad Iqbal from God, was in fact the revelation from Buckingham Palace. In Chamanistan, Maulavi Zafar ‘Ali Khan Sahib tells about a famous Ahrari leader, Maulavi Habibur Rahman Sahib (who was at that time the President of Ahrar)—how he had served the Hindus instead of the Muslims, and how he had ventured to revive the Hindu leaders’ popularity amongst the Muslims. Concerning one of these fantastic services, he writes:

In Merath, once Maulavi Habibur Rahman the President of Ahrar became emotional and started grinding his teeth and biting his lips and kept on saying angrily, ‘ten thousand of Jinahs, Shaukats, and Zafars can be sacrificed on the tip of Nehru’s shoe’.19

This was their fervour for jihad, their enthusiasm! When Maulavi Habibur Rahman jumped into the battlefield of action, his strange adventures are worth seeing. Following is an extract from p. 74–75 of the book entitled Ra’is-ul-Ahrar:

All-India Muslim Kashmir Conference took place in Ludhiana in 1928. To preside over it, Maulana Habibur Rahman through Khawaja Muhammad Yusuf Sahib got Pandit Moti Lal Nehru appointed as the President of the said Kashmir Conference.

It is worth noting that Pandit Moti Lal who is the father of Pandit Jawahurial Nehru was made the President of Kashmir Conference. Then he writes:

During the Conference, many eminent Muslim businessmen of Kashmir pulled Pandit Moti Lal’s carriage with their own hands. One hundred thousand Hindus and Muslims attended the Conference. That was the time when Pandit Moti Lal was facing fierce opposition from the Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims in the Punjab. Nevertheless, the Ra’is-ul-Ahrar, Maulana Habibur Rahman, reversed the trend through his political tactics.

Just watch, what kind of grand mujahidin-e-Islam the Ahrar have produced! Not only this, if you knew what was happening in the East Bengal in those days, you will be extremely surprised to hear this story. It is reported in the magazine Tulu‘e Islam (Karachi) March 26, 1955, p. 11:

The 1946 elections were announced as being fought in the name of Pakistan. Many Muslim League leaders from Calcutta and other parts of India toured East Bengal and started informing the people of the importance of Pakistan. As the Muslim League Leaders were succeeding in convincing the Muslims in favour of Pakistan, the Hindus sent their mercenary Maulavis to diminish their influence. These newly arrived speakers of ‘Ruh-e-Ja‘far’ pronounced the Muslim League leaders to be non-believers. They dubbed Pakistan Movement as implanted by the British and tried their level best to stop the Movement from becoming popular.

Now, I will submit one or two extracts about these Ahrar from Justice Munir and Justice Kiyani’s Report. You will come to know that like Jama‘at-e-Islami they also never repented, and they did not accept the concept of Pakistan before or after its creation. On the contrary, they kept on deceiving the public as they had in the past, and used the noble name of Islam to accomplish their personal ignoble objectives. Thus, it is stated on p. 148 of the Report:

… the Ahrar who, as was apparent from their past, had, before the Partition, worked in close cooperation with the Congress and other bodies which were arrayed against the Quaid-i-Azam in his struggle for the freedom of Muslims, that this party had not yet reconciled themselves to the establishment of Pakistan … 20

Explaining the objectives of Ahrar, the Enquiry Report states:

… that their object was to create dissensions among Muslims and to undermine public confidence in the stability of Pakistan, that the agitation [of 1953] was clearly designed to destroy Muslim solidarity by fomenting internecine dissensions under the cloak of religion … 21

On p. 259 of the same Report, it is written:

The conduct of the Ahrar calls for the strongest comment and is especially reprehensible—we can use no milder word—for the reason that they debased a religious cause by pressing it into service for a temporal purpose … 22

In reference to the Ahrari leader Maulavi Muhammad ‘Ali Jallundri, they write, on p. 256 of the report:

Maulvi Muhammad Ali Jallundri admitted in a speech made at Lahore on 15th February 1953, that the Ahrar had been opposed to Partition … Both before and after the Partition, he also used the word ‘palidistan’ for Pakistan … in one of the speeches made at Lahore by the Ahrar leader, Amir-e-Shari’at Sayyad Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari, Pakistan was described as a prostitute which the Ahrar had accepted perforce.23

Another Campaign to Destroy Pakistan

These are the adventures of Mujahidin-e-Islam! But the tale of their adventures has not finished yet. On the contrary, their hazardous struggle has now taken another critical turn. In the past at different times they have tried to devastate Pakistan by using any means possible. Sometimes by using Jama‘at-e-Ahmadiyya as an excuse, and at times using other different excuses. Each time Pakistan was saved by the grace of Allah the Almighty. They met humiliating defeat and bitterly failed in achieving their evil designs, but now, their operation has taken a monstrous shape and they have already launched a new drive—these unfortunate individuals have made the final decision to obliterate the Kalimah-e-Tauhid—la ilaha illAllah24—the life of Pakistan! Pakistan was created with the power of the kalimah, and to destroy Pakistan, they will have to destroy the Kalimah-e-Tauhid. What they say is correct, but the action plan is extremely abhorrent, lowly and disgraceful. It seems that they have made up their minds in accordance with a well-conceived plan to destroy Pakistan, even though by doing so they will have to completely wipe out the kalimah. There is a general campaign afoot, and how very unfortunate for the country that the Kalimah-e-Tauhid—the life core of Pakistan—is now under attack through the victimisation of the Ahmadis who were appointed to protect Pakistan and the soul of Pakistan from all possible threats. [Ahmadis] Who are willing to sacrifice everything they have to safeguard Pakistan. Many events are taking place now that tell us that it is time for the fulfillment of one of Hazrat Masih-e-Mau‘ud’s (as) revelations that the thoughts and opinions of the people of earth shall be transformed. In this connection, we are receiving many letters and messages. The Pakistani government officials have asked the police to wipe out the kalimah, but upon arriving at the mosques, when the police hear the Ahmadis crying in anguish, their hearts tremble and they completely refuse to do so. On one occasion a Magistrate said to the police force he had brought with him that:

These Ahmadis won’t allow anyone out of uniform to erase the kalimah. They would die before [allowing] that, but if the Government decided to wipe the kalimah out, they will not resist. In this case, the matter is now between the government and God.

The SHO25 interrupted and said: ‘Sir, we will see to these matters later. At present, tell us who would erase the kalimah?’ The magistrate replied: ‘Definitely you have to do it! That’s why I have brought you with me.’ On hearing this, the SHO said:

Here is my belt and my badge. Please do whatever you may like but by God I will not wipe out the kalimah, nor will anyone out of my force do that. Therefore, until it is decided who is going to erase the kalimah, to discuss how to do it is just a useless talk.

It is not a solitary incident. Such events are taking place all over Pakistan. Though the Police Department is most notorious in Pakistan and is known as very tyrannical, suppressive, disloyal, shameless, and by many other dirty names; despite all of this, the love of kalimah is so strong, and the power of kalimah is so great, that even their hearts are now transforming. Information is reaching us from many locations that the Police refuse to erase the kalimah, and they have told their authorities to find someone else to do it, as they were not ready to do it.

We have received similar information concerning some magistrates that have arrived at the mosques severely depressed, saying they were sorry, and that they were merely functionaries working for the Government. They asked the Ahmadis to wipe out the kalimah. The Ahmadis replied that no power on earth could make them do that. Then they were asked to bring a ladder, which they also refused, telling that their hands would not even touch such a ladder that was to be used in erasing the kalimah. Then the magistrates asked someone else to bring the ladder and made someone else climb up it to erase the kalimah. At that moment the bewailing outcry in the Ahmadiyya mosques was so heart-rending that it seemed as if everything they loved was being ruined and no one had survived. At that time suddenly they found out that even the Magistrate himself was crying and sobbing, and before the hammer had hit the letters of the kalimah, the Magistrate ordered the man to come down and said they would not dare erase the kalimah. They were ready to bear all the consequences if the Government decided to take action against them.

Now, it is amazing to see similar incidents taking place. Whenever such an event takes place, I am reminded of Hazrat Masih-e-Mau‘ud’s (as) revelation that:

‘The opinions of the people living on this earth shall change, and their thoughts shall be revolutionized.’ Although, with the Grace of God, the Muslim hearts do respect the kalimah, and most of the time they are not ready to cooperate with the Government; but still on some occasions extremely repulsive things are taking shape. On observing those events, fear strikes the heart lest God punish this country because of these oppressors. Once, a policeman dragged a student out of a bus because he was bearing a kalimah badge. He was taken to the police station, brutalized, and fined five hundred rupees. The student told them [the police] that he did not have five hundred rupees on him; he had only three hundred rupees. He refused to take off the kalimah badge telling them if they wanted they could snatch away the badge, but they would not be able to take it from his heart! The police responded in a most cruel manner. They took him out of the police station, [into an area] underneath a bridge and assaulted him the length of his body. They took three hundred rupees from him and told him that the unpaid amount of two hundred was extracted through beating him up. In this manner, they got the total amount of the fine out of him. Thus, these kinds brutal people also exist there.

No one is in danger from Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at Pakistan is ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Pakistan. In a similar manner, the Jama‘at in each country is loyal to its own country. The real threat is from those unfortunate ones who are insulting the kalimah, those who are willing to sell the kalimah for their personal gains.

Another Painful Incident

Another painful incident that has come to our information is more brutal than the one just narrated. Once when the Police refused to erase the kalimah, and all the Muslims of that particular village also determinedly refused to do so, the miserable Magistrate thought to get hold of a Christian to wipe out the kalimah. So he asked a Christian to do it.

That fellow told him that he would first like to seek advice from his Pastor. He would not do it without his Pastor’s permission. The Magistrate agreed to that. The Pastor gave the verdict that they had no enmity against God. They also believed in the Unity of God like the Muslims do. Therefore, no Christian could touch ‘la ilaha illAllah’ (There is none worthy of worship but God.) therefore go ahead (we seek protection from God) and wipe out the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas). That is how that ill-fated and accursed one allowed the name of our beloved master and lord Muhammad (sas) to be erased by the hands of a Christian.

But I would like to inform them and warn them that as our God Almighty holds His own name in honour, similarly He holds the name of our Master and Lord Muhammad Mustafa (sas) in great honour. Muhammad Mustafa (sas) was willing and ready to lay down his life to protect God’s majestic Name from being wiped out. Our God cannot be erased, nor will He ever allow the noble and pure name of Muhammad (sas) to be wiped out. Therefore, I call upon the people of Pakistan that if they have any sense of honour and shame, they should come and join this noble struggle to safeguard the kalimah. They should move forward to establish kalimah, its honour and respect, and should not be afraid of any dictator’s army or police. This is the time to offer lives to the life-giving God! This is the time to offer all kinds of sacrifice for the sake of God! This is the time to prove that we shall fight in front of Muhammad Mustafa (sas), we shall fight at his back, on his right and on his left, and we shall not allow anyone to attack his sanctity and honour!

Therefore, O people of Pakistan! If you want to protect your very existence, you should protect your soul and your life—your kalimah. I am alerting you that the kalimah has the power to establish Pakistan and also to destroy Pakistan. This kalimah has the power to make and to break, but it will break only those hands that will raise to break it. May Allah grant you wisdom and guidance. Amin.