INTRODUCTION

The world is passing through very turbulent times. The global economic crisis continues to manifest newer and graver dangers almost every week. The similarities to the period just before the Second World War continue to be cited and it seems clear that events are moving the world at an unprecedented pace towards a horrific third world war. There is an overwhelming sense that things are quickly getting out of control and the people are looking for someone to step on to the stage to offer concrete, solid, guidance in which they can have confidence and that speaks to their heart and mind alike and gives them hope that there is a path that can lead to peace. The consequences of a nuclear war are so catastrophic that none dare even think about them.

Here, in this book, we have gathered the guidance put forth by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Over the past several years, as events have unfolded, he has been fearless in announcing to the world where things are heading—not to create alarm but to prepare them to think about how the world has arrived in this state of being and how it can avert disaster and chart a course to peace and security for all the people that inhabit this global village. He has forthrightly proclaimed that the only way to insure peace is for the world to adopt the ways of humility and justice and to humbly, submissively, turn to God; for man to become humane; for the strong to treat the weak with dignity and respect and justice and for the weak and poor to also to show gratitude and adopt the ways of truth and righteousness and for all to turn to their Creator in utter humility and total sincerity.

Again and again he has reminded one and all that the way back from the brink of disaster is for nations to make justice an absolute requirement of their dealings with each other. Even if there is enmity between them they need to still observe justice because history has taught us that this is the only way to eliminate all traces of future hatreds and thus build a lasting peace.

This is the teaching of the Holy Qur’an that he has emphasized in his letters to the leaders of the world:

And let not the enmity of a people, that they hindered you from the Sacred Mosque, incite you to transgress. And help one another in righteousness and piety; but help not one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; surely, Allah is severe in punishment. (ch. 5: v. 3)

In his letter to the Prime Minister of Israel, he wrote:

Hence, it is my request to you that instead of leading the world into the grip of a World War, make maximum efforts to save the world from a global catastrophe. Instead of resolving disputes with force, you should try to resolve them through dialogue, so that we can gift our future generations with a bright future rather than ‘gift’ them with disability and defects.

To the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he admonished:

There is currently great agitation and restlessness in the world. In some areas small-scale wars have broken out, while in other places the superpowers act on the pretext of trying to bring about peace. Each country is engaged in activities to either help or oppose other countries, but the requirements of justice are not being fulfilled. It is with regret that if we now observe the current circumstances of the world, we find that the foundation for another world war has already been laid.

To President Obama, he stated:

As we are all aware, the main causes that led to the Second World War were the failure of League of Nations and the economic crisis, which began in 1932. Today, leading economists state that there are numerous parallels between the current economic crisis and that of 1932. We observe that political and economic problems have once again led to wars between smaller nations, and to internal discord and discontentment becoming rife within these countries. This will ultimately result in certain powers emerging to the helm of government, who will lead us to a world war. If in the smaller countries conflicts cannot be resolved through politics or diplomacy, it will lead to new blocs and groupings to form in the world. This will be the precursor for the outbreak of a Third World War. Hence, I believe that now, rather than focusing on the progress of the world, it is more important and indeed essential, that we urgently increase our efforts to save the world from this destruction. There is an urgent need for mankind to recognise its One God, Who is our Creator, as this is the only guarantor for the survival of humanity; otherwise, the world will continue to rapidly head towards self-destruction.

To Premier Wen Jiabao of the State of the People’s Republic of China, he wrote:

It is my prayer that the leaders of the world act with wisdom and do not allow mutual enmities between nations and people on a small-scale to erupt into a global conflict.

And to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he wrote:

It is my request that at every level and in every direction we must try our level best to extinguish the flames of hatred. Only if we are successful in this effort, will we be enabled to guarantee brighter futures for our generations to come. However, if we fail in this task, there should be no doubt in our minds that as result of nuclear warfare, our future generations everywhere will have to bear the horrific consequences of our actions and they will never forgive their elders for leading the world into a global catastrophe. I again remind you that Britain is also one of those countries that can and does exert influence in the developed world as well as in developing countries. You can guide this world, if you so desire, by fulfilling the requirements of equity and justice. Thus, Britain and other major powers should play their role towards establishing world peace. May God the Almighty enable you and other world leaders to understand this message.

It is our sincere prayer that the guidance collected herein may prove a source of guidance for mankind in this time of great danger so that by acting on the principles of justice and humility and by turning to God, man may be blessed with a lasting peace! (Amin).

The Publishers