{"id":93621,"date":"2019-10-06T17:37:03","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T00:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=93621"},"modified":"2019-10-06T17:37:03","modified_gmt":"2019-10-07T00:37:03","slug":"religion-is-not-the-cause-of-the-worlds-problems-but-is-the-solution-hazrat-mirza-masroor-ahmad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2019\/10\/06\/religion-is-not-the-cause-of-the-worlds-problems-but-is-the-solution-hazrat-mirza-masroor-ahmad\/","title":{"rendered":"Religion is Not the Cause of the World\u2019s Problems But is the Solution \u2013 Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad"},"content":{"rendered":"

By A. Abdul Aziz.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

Head of\nAhmadiyya Muslim Community says double standards <\/em>in foreign\npolicies have destabilised the world and says that money cannot buy peace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On\nSaturday 28 September 2019, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim\nCommunity, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph)<\/em>, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor\nAhmad addressed an audience of more than 125 dignitaries and guests on the\nsecond day of the 39<\/em>th<\/sup><\/em>Annual\nConvention (Jalsa Salana) <\/em>of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community\nin Holland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During\nhis address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad presented a comprehensive definition of\n\u2018peace\u2019 and outlined the teachings of Islam that led to both \u2018inner\u2019 and\n\u2018outward\u2019 peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness also outlined the far-reaching consequences of modern-day conflict and\nwarfare and said that despite world powers making claims of establishing peace,\nit had been proven time and again that their real objectives have been to \u2018protect and enhance their vested\ninterests\u2019<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contrasting\nsuch behaviour with Islamic teachings, His Holiness stated that Islam teaches\nthe principle of \u2018liking\nfor others what you like for yourself\u2019 <\/strong><\/em>and said that\nwherever there was disconnect between a person\u2019s words and acts it caused\ninstability and conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early in\nhis address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said the character of the Holy Prophet\nMuhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has long been slandered in the\nnon-Muslim world and that certain individuals from Holland in the recent past\nhad taken lead in inciting\nhatred against Islam\u201d.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness underlined that tolerance\nand mutual respect\u201d <\/strong><\/em>were the cornerstones for building\npeace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religion\nis a personal matter for every individual. It is a matter of the heart and no\none has the right to speak ill of the beliefs of other people.  No\none should mock what others consider sacred because treating other people with\nderision and contempt can only lead to pain and suffering and create division.\nConversely, tolerance and mutual respect are the cornerstones through which we\ncan build a peaceful and harmonious society.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness went on to elucidate an in depth understanding of what constitutes\n\u2018peace\u2019 and the distinction between \u2018outward\u2019 and \u2018inner\u2019 peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad explained:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often,\nat a superficial level, people can appear to be happy and content. Yet, though\nthey have \u2018outward peace\u2019, they remain bereft of \u2018inner peace\u2019.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness said that despite having worldly possessions and wealth, people are\nstill plagued by\nanxiety and their hearts remain unfulfilled.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nreality is that until a person attains inner peace, their material comforts are\nworthless. Simply put, the one thing money cannot buy is inner\npeace.\u201d  <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness said that in both the developing and the developed world mental health\nissues were on the rise. This was proven by increased rates of suicide and\ndepression in many countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking\nabout the role of religion, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\ntoday\u2019s world, critics are quick to blame religion and particularly Islam, for\nthe problems of the world. Yet, many people who are suffering from inner\ntorment and unrest are those who live a purely secular existence and so their\nproblems cannot be blamed on Islam or any other religion. As a religious\nleader, I firmly believe that instead of being the cause of today\u2019s problems,\nreligion is the answer.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking\nof the practical teachings of Islam leading towards peace, Hazrat Mirza Masroor\nAhmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A golden\nprinciple given by the Founder of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) is\nthat a true Muslim\u2018should like for others, what he likes for himself.\u2019 I\nbelieve that this simple and profound point, if acted upon, not just by\nMuslims, but by all people, is the means for everlasting peace in\nsociety.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad continued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No\ndoubt, everyone desires peace for themselves and their loved ones, but most\npeople will be lying if they claim that they want their opponents and\ncompetitors to have peace and to live with contentment. Yet this is the\nstandard of nobility and generosity of spirit that Islam requires. It is a\nreligion and teaching that promotes selflessness and urges humans to discard\nall traces of selfishness.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness said modern society has failed to live up to this standard, and this\nwas reflected in the foreign policies of many rich and powerful countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has\nbeen a constant theme of modern history that dominant powers have sent their\narmies to distant lands, on the pretext of establishing peace, but time has\nproven that their real objective has been to protect and enhance their vested\ninterests.  During such conflicts, if just one of their soldiers dies\nthere is an outpouring of grief and they pledge to take revenge. Yet, when\ntheir bombs or munitions cause the death of hundreds or even thousands of\ninnocent civilians \u2013 including defenceless women and children \u2013 they remain\nsilent and do not express any hint of regret or remorse.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to\nthe interconnected world we live in, His Holiness said, the rest of the\nworld would be\nfoolish to think that they will not also be affected.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness further shed light on the duplicitous actions of certain world leaders\nand said that while all strongly condemn warfare and claim to promote human\nrights, their cries are only in favour of their <\/em>people and their <\/em>interests, whilst\nat the same time they are themselves guilty of exploiting civil wars or conflicts\nwithin other countries for their own benefit.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Major\npowers have habitually interfered in the conflicts of other countries by arming\nor funding whichever side supports their interests.  They are pouring\npetrol on an open flame and the result is that innocent people, including\nwomen, children and the elderly, are losing their lives and observing the\ntorment of their families.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness said that the conflicts prevalent in the world today were based on\ngeo-political rivalries and material factors and not, as often alleged, due to\nthe teachings of Islam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let it\nbe clear that the state of unrest in the world, whether in Muslim countries or\notherwise, has nothing to do with the teachings of Islam. Rather, such turmoil\nis based on the vested interests and selfish ways of certain leaders or corrupt\ngovernments on the one side and rebel, insurgent or separatist groups on the\nother. It is caused by the brutal acts of terrorist and extremist groups who\nseek only enrichment or power.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad continued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\ncentre of today\u2019s disorder may well be Muslim countries but no one can deny\nthat non-Muslim countries have inflamed the situation, rather than resolve\nit.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness then spoke in detail to refute the baseless allegation that the Founder of Islam<\/em>, the Holy\nProphet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) promoted intolerance and\nwarfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nProphet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) taught that Allah the\nAlmighty is the Source of Peace and the Provider and Sustainer of all mankind.\nThus, how could it be possible for him to promote intolerance or to sow the\nseeds of division in society? Rather, throughout his life, he promoted\ninter-faith harmony and emphasised the need for peace at every level of society\n\u2013 from the basic domestic family unit all the way to international relations.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explaining\nthat despite the Prophet\nof Islam <\/em>(peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions\nfacing bitter persecution for several years in Makkah where many were brutally\nmartyred and tortured, His Holiness said that the Muslims never retaliated and\nshowed unparalleled examples of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\npatience of the Muslims was based on the command of Allah the Almighty, which\nis mentioned in chapter 25, verse 64 of the Holy Quran. Addressing the Muslims\nin this verse, Allah the Almighty said: And the servants of the Gracious God\nare those who walk on the earth in a dignified manner, and when the ignorant\naddress them, they say, \u2018Peace!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disregarding\na natural inclination for revenge, and, living up to the standard of liking for\nothers what you like for yourself, the Muslims sought peace for their\nenemies.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness further outlined the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and\nblessings be upon him) and said that after continued years of persecution, the\nMuslims migrated to a city called Medina to flee the persecution and seek\nreligious freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However,\nHis Holiness explained, the disbelievers of Makkah pursued them and waged war\nagainst the Muslims and only then were Muslims given the permission to respond\nwith force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMirza Masroor Ahmad explained:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is\nvery important to note that permission to fight back was not given just to\ndefend Islam or Muslims. Rather, the Holy Quran states in chapter 22, verses\n40-41 that permission to fight back was given to defend the institution of\nreligion and universal freedom of belief, as those were the real targets of the\nopponents of Islam.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\nHoliness explained that even in a state of defensive war, the Holy Prophet\n(peace and blessings be upon him) instructed that the Muslims abided by the\nstrictest rules of engagement. Furthermore, at all times he sought to bring an\nend to conflict and warfare and instructed his followers to waste no\nopportunity for peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazrat\nMira Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather\nthan seeking conflict or fostering hatred, Islam has only ever instructed\nMuslims to knock down the walls of hatred that divide mankind and to build\nbridges of love and compassion in order to unite it.  In short, at\nevery level of society, and across all communities and peoples, Muslims have a\nduty to spread peace.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concluding\nhis address Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is\nthe need of the time that we all join together and instead of inveighing\nagainst one another\u2019s religious sentiments, we join forces and work towards\nbuilding a better future for our children and future generations. Let us set\naside our differences and work faithfully towards developing true and\nsustainable peace in the world. Let us respect one another and strive to build\na better society founded upon principles of unity and the common good.\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier\nin the day, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad directly addressed the\nmembers of Lajna\nImaillah <\/em>(The\nLadies Auxiliary Organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking\nof the fact that a large number of people had immigrated to Holland from\nPakistan, where they were denied religious freedom, His Holiness reminded the\nattendees that they must show gratitude to their adopted nation and at the same\ntime they must become more devoted to their faith as they now had the freedom\nto practice it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking\nabout the need to excel with one another in good works, Hazrat Mirza Masroor\nAhmad said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nbelieving man and a believing woman must vie with others in good deeds, rather\nthan always seeking to outdo others in material gains. God Almighty is the most\nMerciful and Forgiving and is most loving towards His servants who turn to Him.\nThus he listens to the pious desires and prayers of His righteous servants\naccepts their good deeds.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By A. Abdul Aziz. Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community says double standards in foreign policies have destabilised the world and says that money cannot buy peace On Saturday 28 September 2019, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad addressed an audience of more than 125 dignitaries and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-93621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93621\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}