بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ1
نَحۡمَدُہٗ وَنُصَلِّیۡ عَلٰی رَسُوۡلِہِ الۡکَرِیۡمِ وَعَلٰی عَبْدِہِ الْمَسِیْحِ الْمَوْعُوْدِ2

Undated3

Opposition Is Advantageous

It was mentioned that a prominent Muslim cleric is Mirwaiz in Kashmir. He initially remained silent about this Movement, but ever since Maulawi Abdullah issued public notices accosting him, he has also become hostile in his sermons.

The Promised Messiah (as) observed:

In this case, the conduct of Maulawi Abdullah was appropriate. Opposition should not be feared, rather it can be beneficial. This is the very mode of operation that has been ongoing since time immemorial. Whenever any Prophet is raised, people begin to oppose him, making use of [every] revile and reproach. In this process, people also get an opportunity to peruse the books and learn the correct facts. Worldly people who are preoccupied with their mundane affairs, have no time to pay attention to religious matters, yet on account of the hostility, they too are afforded an opportunity to reflect and ponder for themselves. And as a result of their hue and cry, other people are drawn in this direction, intrigued to seek out the truth of the matter.

Many people wrote to me recounting the names of Maulawi Muhammad Husain [of Batala] or Maulawi Sana Ullah [of Amritsar] etc., that upon reading their belligerent writings, it occurred to them to obtain and peruse my writings as well. And when they read my books, they found them overflowing with spirituality, and the truth became clear to them.

When one pays attention, his inherent sense of equity indicts him. Where a storm of blazing opposition emerges, therein a jama’at [a group of people] comes into existence. Before the advent of a Prophet, the good and the bad all act like they are brethren, but after the advent of a Prophet, a distinction appears between them. The auspicious are separated from the wretched. If the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had not proclaimed to the opponents:

اِنَّکُمْ وَ مَا تَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰہِ حَصَبُ جَہَنَّمَ4

Meaning, ‘You and the gods you worship are all deserving of Hell’, the disbelievers would not have mounted such an opposition. But they were incensed upon hearing such statements about their gods.

Most of the opposition occurred in the Punjab and this is precisely where most people have joined the Jama’at [Community]. Allah the Exalted tells us that initially people are like one nation. After the advent of a Prophet they become divided. The result of the prayer duel that Abu Jahl engaged with the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the final prayer he uttered forth that, ‘O God! Perish this day the one who has sown discord in the land and severs ties of kinship’, was that he himself perished.

The predicament that had befallen the country with the advent of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is evident from his prayer, as well as who the disbelievers blamed for the mutual discord. When an uproar is raised, then such men are also raised who adhere to justice and fear God Almighty.

It is the habit of the opponents of Prophets to become sticklers on the point of following their traditions and customs, and—losing hope in God Almighty—they firmly resolve to die upon this decision no matter what happens. Nevertheless, it is from these very people that God Almighty raises forth good-natured souls.

The Reason Behind the Name ‘Ahmadi’

It was mentioned that some people criticize why Mirza Sahib [the Promised Messiah (as)] has adopted the distinct name ‘Ahmadi’ for his Jama’at.

The Promised Messiah (as) stated:

This name is only for identity as there are many other sects amongst Muslims; some are called Hanafi, some Shafi‘i, and others Ahl-e-Hadith, etc. Since in this era the jamali [benevolent] attribute of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is being manifested in the spirit of his name ‘Ahmad’, this Jama’at is (named) ‘Ahmadi’. This name was reserved for this era and this Jama’at. Previously some people became the leaders of some Jama’at and had ‘Ahmad’ as part of their name but God did not allow any Jama’ats to be named ‘Ahmadi’. For instance, there was Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. His Jama’at was called ‘Hanbali’. There was Syed Ahmad Barelvi. His Jama’at was called ‘Mujahidin’. There was Sayyed Ahmad of Aligarh. People who shared his views were called ‘Naturalist’ and so on. No one has ever been named ‘Ahmadi’.5